Bernadette K. Kelly

1936 - 2022

Bernadette K. Kelly

Laconia, NH — Kelly, Bernadette K. (Regan) of Laconia NH, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2022, with her family by her side.

Bernadette was the daughter of the late Timothy and Katherine (King) Regan, both of whom emigrated from Ireland. She was the beloved wife of the late James Kelly for 44 years. She was the devoted mother of Laureen (Kelly) Hilton and her husband David of Chester NH, Linda (Kelly) Morrison and her husband John of Billerica MA, Lee-Ann (Kelly) Valotto and her husband Michael of Chichester NH and the late Michael Kelly and his wife Andrea (Trickett) Kelly of Chester NH. Proud grandmother of Jason Hilton of Amherst NH, Kristina (Hilton) Luse of Yorktown VA, Ryan and Erin Kelly of Chester, NH, Timothy Morrison of Billerica MA, Julia and James Valotto of Chichester NH and great grandmother of Lorelei and Mariska Hilton of Amherst NH and Riley Luse of Yorktown, VA. She also leaves behind her brother Jack Regan and his wife Ginny of Newport RI and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was sadly predeceased by her son Michael Kelly, her sisters Nancy Spinney, Patricia Hirtle and Maureen Heavey.

Bernadette was born and grew up in Newton, MA with her four siblings and her parents. She graduated from Our Lady High School.

She went to work as secretary to the manager of a bank in Boston. She met and married the love of her life, James Kelly shortly after he was discharged from the army. They began their life in Newtonville and Newton where all four of their children were born. They went on to live in Rahway, NJ and then to Billerica, MA.

When all of their children were grown the two moved to Belmont, NH where they enjoyed many happy years. Bernie moved to Laconia after Jim's passing. Bernie worked in the school systems in Billerica, MA and Belmont, NH where she began as an aide and eventually moved to be the Special Education Assistant. She loved working with the kids and they loved her. She also worked as an Avon Lady in NJ and MA.

Bernie made friends wherever she lived and she stayed in touch with all of them. She volunteered at hospice and at Lakes Region General Hospital.

She was an avid reader and loved to play games and win them! She loved her plants and gardening and feeding and watching the birds. She loved family vacations, memorable trips with Jim and the many summer trips with her group of special friends.

Bernie had a strong faith in God and her church was a most important part of her life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 10:00 AM, at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish in St. Theresa Church, 466 Boston Rd., Billerica, MA 01821. Visitation will be on the same morning from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM at Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, 66 Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821.

Masks must be worn at all times while indoors at both locations.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Blue Help (BlueHelp.org) or the Arthritis Foundations (arthritis.org).