Ellen Kelly

Ellen Kay Kelly, 55, died at her parents' home on Friday surrounded by her family following a four-year battle with cancer. Ellen faced cancer with an amazing strength and serenity and lived life under her terms in spite of illness.

Ellen was born June 19, 1951, to Terry and Irene (Morris) Kelly. She grew up in Corktown where she perfected her quick, dry Irish wit that she demonstrated even through her last days. She attended St. Mary's school and graduated from Butte High School in 1969. She received a computer science degree from Montana Tech where she graduated with high honors.

Ellen loved all things Irish, especially celebrating with friends and family on St. Patrick's Day. She was a "founding painter" of the Broadway and Main Street shamrock during the early morning hours of the sacred day. She also enjoyed her several visits to Ireland, sharing a cup of tea or a pint with newfound friends. This year the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, had the honor of meeting Ellen at a private reception in the Finlen.

She also enjoyed traveling to New York City to see plays, Seattle to watch baseball, or wherever Notre Dame was playing. She accompanied her mom to Hawaii twice in the last few years. Ellen was an excellent cook and loved sharing her baking talents with her nieces. More recently, she mastered sudoku, and shared with her dad his passion for watching the Fighting Irish on television.

At the time of her death, Ellen was a Deputy Clerk of the Court in the Silver Bow office. She was surrounded with outstanding co-workers in her department and throughout the courthouse and court system. Those same friends and co-workers were a source of strength and kindness to Ellen and her family in the last several weeks, stopping to visit and bringing care packages. Ellen previously worked at the Butte Public Library, where she honed her wealth of knowledge of Butte history and Butte people, and US West in Deer Lodge and Helena.

Her family and friends will dearly miss Ellen. Family members include her parents Terry and Irene Kelly of Butte; brother Terry of Butte; sister Kris (Chuck) Nylund of Butte; brother Dan of Deer Lodge; sister Lisa (Tim) Mandic of Butte; sister Patty of Bremerton; sister Peggy Lowney of Butte; brother Ted (Beth) of Big Piney; sister Denise Kelly (Mark Merrick) of Butte; and brother John (Darrah) of Honolulu. Ellen loved her nieces and nephews unconditionally; Erik (Austin and Brooke) Nylund; Michelle Kelly; Patrick Kelly; Greg (Tyler, Bailee, Nikki and Ty) Hess; Joe Hess; Kelly (Lucas and Jalen) Hess; Jessica Mandic; Conor Lowney; Johanna Lowney; Chloe Lowney; David and Matthew Kelly; Liam and Shauna Kelly. Ellen was blessed with many mends, including her lifelong friend Kathy Daly. Ellen has numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Dec. 28, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, followed immediately by Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the An Rí Rá Irish Festival (P.O. Box 3612, Butte, MT. 59702 attn: Memorial Program) or Highlands Hospice (3702 Harrison Ave., Butte) or a charity of the donor's choice.

We love you and we will miss you, El. Tap 'er light!

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.