Evelyn “Sis” Kelley

Evelyn Kennedy Kelley, known as "Sis" of Waitsfield, Vermont, passed away at the age of 99, on November 19 th 2025 with her family at her side while at the University of Vermont Medical Center. She had been living at Maple Ridge Memory Care in Essex Vermont for the past two years. Sis was born March 8 th, 1926 in Washington, D.C. to Evelyn & Harold Kennedy. She was a child of the Great Depression and grew up in Bethesda, Maryland with her brother Harold.

She attended the University of Maryland until she married George Ridgely Kelley, known as "Dutch", who had recently returned to Maryland from World War II as a Hellcat tail gunner in the Pacific. Sis welcomed her sister Sally in 1946. Sis & Dutch moved to Phoenix, Arizona following the birth of her first child, Susan, in 1947. Moving back to Bethesda, she raised three more children: George R. Jr., known as Ridge, William Harold, known as Billy, and a daughter, Karen, who passed away in infancy. She was proud of her time spent working in early childhood education, which spoke to her gentle, kind, and compassionate nature.

Sis came to Vermont to ski in the late 60's, and Dutch built her a little house in the woods of Waitsfield/Fayston where she lived for fifty-five years. She loved everything about living in the Valley and had many cherished friends & neighbors. She worked at several local artisan businesses and frequented all the local establishments. She loved her pets, including her famed Boxers "Molly 1 & 2", who loved to tag along with local hikers and mountain bikers. She often drove 1.5 hours to drop off lunch, stoke the fire, or let out the pets for her family.

As her memory declined, she moved to Maple Ridge Memory Care where she had safe, excellent care. She was a valued member of their community there, and greatly cherished the visits with her grand and great grandchildren, always lighting up when she saw them.

She is survived by her daughter Susan of Danville, Vermont, her grandson, Kip Kelley (Sarah Cramer) of Jefferson, MD; her grandson Ian (Amanda) Duckett of Fairfax, Vermont; and her grandson Adrian (Tanita) Duckett of Bellingham, WA, as well as great-grandchildren Otto, Lena, Dylan, Austin, Ivy, and Hollis. Also, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was pre-deceased by her husband Dutch, her son Billy of Nashville, TN, her son Ridge (W. Mary Perry) of Frederick, MD, her brother Harold Jr., and her sister Sally of Berkeley Springs, WV.

A private burial will take place at a later date in Washington, DC.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Evelyns name to an animal charity or humane society of your choice.