ANITA B. KELLY

10/03/63 - 05/16/23

KELLY

On May 16, 2023, Anita Kelly took her final breath at 59 years old. Although she would've told you to check your math, claiming only 28. Her spirit wasn't far off 28 years young though. She battled breast cancer with the same youthful and relentless fight, making sure she'd have one final Mother's Day surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband Joseph, daughters Alyssa and Amanda, and her son Michael.

Anita was born to the late Glenn and Ethel Roberts on October 3, 1963, in Mt. Clemens, MI. Being the youngest of six in a large Catholic family, she found her own ways to earn the attention of her parents and siblings. Her reverence for animals came more naturally than her only brother, Glenn, as she filled her summers saddling horses and accumulating numerous pets over the years, including a pet owl. Despite her tomboyish childhood, her sisters Loretta, Barbara, Monica, and Roberta always labeled her as incredibly bright and beautiful. Anita attended Michigan State University, before journeying south to the polar opposite campus of Texas Tech University, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science. She began her IT career at EDS in the north Dallas area, and quickly started her own family of three Texan children.

Anita's occupation as a mother was her favorite job and accomplishment. She taught her children to sign ‘I love yous' early on, and would shower them in a hundred ‘I love yous' before they could pry themselves from her at the front curb. Anita's household never provided a dull moment, and the laughter and spirits often overflowed. Her favorite pastime was always finding a steal, whether it was furniture at Frisco Resale, or the coveted ‘manager special' at her local Kroger. If you couldnt find her there, just check the nearest estate sale. Her family learned not to bring her along to the Plano Dump, unless they wanted to return with a once-discarded cast iron skillet that “lasts forever.” Anita taught her children that nothing goes to waste and anything could be fixed, especially when teaching them how to write and draw. Discovering the scrapped artwork she would salvage from the trashcan proudly surprised her children decades later.

In September of 2010, she married the love of her life, Joseph Kelly, where he learned all about Anita's butter & cheese cookbook, as well as her hoarding quirks. To her grandsons, Isaiah and Jude, Anita was queen ‘Mee-mah.' She was quickly crowned by the boys after uncovering her small fortune of McDonald's reward points. She spoiled her grandchildren as she did her own kids, always making sure they never went without unconditional love - or french fries. Anita was the sweetest soul on this Earth, always giving first and asking last. Her passing came far too early for this world and for her loved ones. Above all, she would've wanted to be remembered for the many Anita stories we all have: the outdoor adventures, the late game nights, and all the family parties preferably over a cowboy-cold Miller Lite.