Margaret Orne Kelly

1918 - 2017

Margaret Orne Kelly, 98, died Monday, April 3, 2017, in Savannah.

Born August 4, 1918 in Boothbay Harbor, ME, she was the daughter of the late Charles Thomas and Irene Monk Orne. She was educated in local schools and the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston, MA.

Margaret has lived in Savannah since 1942 except for six years in Madison, NJ, from 1965 until 1971. She was actively involved in volunteer work including Red Cross Nurses Aide during World War II, Curator of Georgia Historical Society, board member of Savannah Speech and Hearing Association, Bethesda Home, Family Counseling Center, United Way, Savannah Foundation, Savannah Symphony Society, YWCA, League of Women Voters, and the Savannah Public Library. For many years she was on the Budget Committee of the Community Health Council. She was past president of the Junior League of Savannah, the Women of the Church at First Presbyterian Church, and the Savannah Home for Girls. She was a member of the Residents' Council of The Marshes of Skidaway Island and a founding member of Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church. For a few years she was Associate Director of Environmental Affairs of Union Camp Corporation.

Mrs. Kelly was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Verner Earl (Tex) Kelly; sons, Thomas Orne Kelly and Richard McCullough Kelly; and brothers, Kenneth S. Orne, Houghton V. Orne, and Charles Thomas Orne, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Virginia K. Tison (Henry) and Margaret K. Tew (David); ten grandchildren, Catherine T. Eurell (Charles), Eleanor T. Dailey (Mark), H. Lawton Tison III (Mary), Virginia T. Coates, John M. Tison, Sarah Tew (Keith Gauger), Alice T. Gifford (Giles), Alexander S. Tew (Becky), Richard M. Kelly (Lori), and Dana Kelly (Dave Bullivant); sixteen great-grandchildren, Joseph Phinney, Luke Dailey, Henry Dailey, Emma Dailey, Eleanor Dailey, Mary Catherine Tison, Andrew Tison, Brennan Tison, Ellis Coates, Ruth Dailey, Shane Tison, Hunter Kelly, Emerson Kelly, Jane Gifford, Roger Gifford, and Levi Tew; and several nieces and nephews, including David Orne (Debbie) and Charles "Guy" Orne (Julie).

The family extends their gratitude to the many friends and aids from her years residing at The Oaks and The Marshes of Skidaway Island.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2017, at Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests remembrances to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah, Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church, or a charity of the donor's choice.

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