Margaret May "Peggy" Kelly

Margaret Kelly passed away peacefully to be with Jesus on December 23, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Margaret, who went by the name Peggy, was born Margaret May Claybyn on July 3, 1928, in Barnet, North London, England, the second of two daughters born to Frederick Claybyn and Nellie Gunn Claybyn.

Having grown up in England during WWII, she would tell stories about air raids and bomb shelter drills that took place during school. As a young child, she enjoyed camping with her family and going to the beach. She worked at Foyles bookstore in London before moving to Canada in her early 20's, where she briefly lived with her aunt, uncle and cousins while working in Montreal. It was during this time that she joined the Canadian Youth Hostels Association and cycled throughout Canada and the New England states, taking many pictures with her Baby Brownie camera. On one of her trips to New York, she met her future husband, Al Kelly, at a dance. They were married in Newark, Delaware and went on to live in Philadelphia, where they had four children. In 1967, they moved to Miami, Florida. She was involved in her children's activities and taught swimming at the local pool. She enjoyed bowling with her friends, and belonged to leagues at both Piper Lanes and Western Sunset Bowl. She even appeared on Bowling for Dollars, a television game show. She was a member of the British Wives Club and the Eastern Airlines Retirees Association. She enjoyed working in her garden, reading, dancing and watching tennis. In 1995 Peggy and Al moved to Melbourne, Florida, to be near one of their children. With one of her daughter's family, they were members of Eastminster Presbyterian Church. While in Melbourne, she renewed her interest in ballroom dancing. She enjoyed going to the zoo and being with her grandchildren, and swimming with them.

Peggy moved to Houston in 2014. With one of her daughters, she was a member of Second Baptist/Beholding His Glory Sunday School class for over six years. In her later years, she enjoyed playing cards and bingo, and watching the birds on the feeder outside her window. She also liked to visit the zoo, the giraffes were her favorite.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, husband Albert J. Kelly, Jr., and sister Joy MacKechnie. She is survived by her children Albert (Carlene) Kelly of Chantilly, Virginia; daughter Margaret Kelly of Houston, Texas; daughter Alice (Brad) Williams of Indialantic, Florida; and daughter Bridget (Pete) Hansen of Cypress, Texas; and grandchildren Shawna (Chad) Meyer, Lauren (Donnie) Merren, Megan (JD) Terry, AJ (Beth) Kelly, Alex (fiancé Mary) Hansen, and Jared Williams. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.

Peggy's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the nurses, care partners, and staff at Bristol Hospice and the care givers and staff at Avanti Senior Living at Towne Lake for the compassionate care Peggy received during the final years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Peggy can be made to your local SPCA or zoo.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in the Hankamer Chapel at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., Houston, Texas on March 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.