Celeste Kelley

1950 - 2024

Celeste Kelley
05/30/1950 - 04/02/2024
Celeste Marie Kelley, age 73 of Houston, TX went to heaven on April 2, 2024, following a valiant battle with cancer, while in her husband's embrace. Her courage and zest for life inspired fellow patients and earned respect from both her doctors and nurses. She is survived by her loving and adoring husband of 34 years, her elder brother, John Gerhart, of Salem, SC, as well as nephews, and grandnieces.

Celeste was loved deeply by all who knew her. Her quick wit and passion for life were admired by her family and friends. She will be missed every day. Married thirty-four years ago to Jack Kelley, Celeste enjoyed and loved vacationing with her husband, her family, and friends to exciting locales like Acapulco, San Jose del Cabo, Victoria, BC, Paris, London, Carmel by the Sea, among many more. Highlights included sky diving solo, landing in a sea plane in front of and residing at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, barging and hot air ballooning in France, hot air ballooning in Carmel by the Sea, boating in the Straits of Juan de Fuca, as well as dining in some of the world's finest restaurants in many exotic destinations. She particularly loved Texas barbeque and a plate of breakfast Migas con huevos.

Celeste had an exceptional career as a vice president and certified financial planner spanning over 30 years with a few top investment firms. She was a degreed economist and always a student of wall street. She served her clients faithfully, focusing on wealth preservation ensuring their retirement security.

Celeste was preceded in death by her loving parents Jacqueline and Kenneth Gerhart. She adored both her mother and father, frequently sharing that her mother was her best friend. She shopped and enjoyed lunch with her mother every Saturday. Celeste loved a colorful joke, a very dry Martini, and a bottle of rare Burgundy wine. She shared a passion for both football and baseball with her father, often winning bets from him. Celeste lovingly enjoyed her Airedales, Gracie, Violet, and Allie who, along with her parents are welcoming her home.

She was an enthusiastic football fan all the way back to the "love 'ya blue" days in Houston. She also was an exceptionally accomplished fantasy football aficionado and commissioner of her fantasy league back in the day. Celeste used to say her dowry included season tickets and reserved parking.

A private memorial service celebrating her life for family and close friends is being planned for a later time.