Judith E. Kelsey

Judith E. Kelsey (Oct. 5, 1937 – March 23, 2023)
MERCERSBURG – Judith E (Judi) Kelsey, 85 of Mercersburg, PA passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 23 at home.
Born October 5, 1937 to the late G. Rennis and Mabel (Suffecool) Etter, the longtime real estate agent and broker was born and raised in Mercersburg. A graduate of James Buchanan High School, Judi went to Grove City College and worked as a medical receptionist. She traveled to California with her husband, the late Naval Corpsman Orville William Kelsey Jr., though she could not wait to return to Mercersburg to raise her family.
Judi is survived by her daughter Amy (Joe) and a sister Jean Van Brederode (Lee) of Mechanicsburg and many dear friends, including her longtime feline friends Orphan Annie and Wee Big and her late dog Lucy. She was predeceased by sons Sean and William Sanford (Sam).
In 1978 Judi started a career in Real Estate, with the goal of opening her own office. That goal was reached in 1988 with the opening of J.E. Kelsey Real Estate. After establishing her first office on South Main Street in Mercersburg, Judi eventually moved her office to her historic home at 252 N Main Street in Mercersburg Built circa 1858, Judi restored the home and loved working from home, tending her gardens and attending auctions..
Judi's distinctive motto: "Happiness is Home Made!," was a theme she emphasized with all her customers."As she explained at the time, "(Our motto) has as double meaning...When you see it, please know that we believe in, and support, our Mercersburg area by investing in its future." As a Real Estate Agent & Broker, Judi helped buy and sell hundreds of homes and properties in Mercersburg/Franklin County with the utmost tenacity and the highest of standards, with an eye always focused on historic preservation.
An avid history buff, Judi served as chair and a member of the Mercersburg Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and was a member of the Board of Associates at First National Bank of Mercersburg for 24 years. Her other local memberships included the Buchanan Lioness Club,
Woman's Club, Mercersburg Moose Lodge 1790 and was a social member of the Harry Lackhove Post 517 American Legion, For a time Judi also chaired and volunteered for the local Meals of Wheels Program.
Judi's love for local history led her to manage the effort by the Woman's Club of Mercersburg to update and re-issue "Old Mercersburg" a 219 page volume of the history of Mercersburg and the Conocoheague Settlement. Originally published in 1912 and reprinted in 1950, Judi helped produce "Old Mercersburg Revisited" in time for the 1976 Bicentennial. Her efforts included extensive research using, in many cases, handwritten manuscripts by the original authors.
A member of St John's Lutheran Church, Judi enjoyed her visits by Rev. Warren Heintzelman and her friends during her illness. Daily visits with her caregiver and weekly cards from friends
kept her spirits up in her final days. The family extends a special thank you to the Angels from Franklin /Washington County Hospice for their care.
Interment will be private. A Celebration of Judi's life for family and friends will be held in the near future at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. John's Lutheran Youth in Action, P.O. Box 37, Mercersburg, PA 17236 or to The Fendrick Library, 20 North. Main Street, Mercersburg., PA 17236.
Always remember: "Happiness Is Home Made!"