Catherine Teresa Kelly

1933 - 2023

KELLY

CATHERINE TERESA NEUBECK KELLY

Catherine Teresa Kelly (nee Neubeck) was born at 20th and M St, NW, Washington, DC on December 1, 1933, and was baptized at St. Matthews Cathedral nearby. She was the third child of Mary M. Madden Neubeck and Francis G. Neubeck. She attended Saint Steven's grade school at 24th and K. St and Holy Trinity High School in Georgetown where she played on the basketball team, the Trinity Termites. After graduating from High School Catherine attended Dumbarton College and Visitation Junior College before marrying the love of her life, Joseph Michael Kelly. They were married on December 11, 1954, at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana. Shortly after they were married Joe received orders to report to Ft. Meyer Army Base in Arlington, Virginia. They moved into the Glenelg apartment building in Arlington. As their family grew, they moved to the Washington and Lee apartments until purchasing their first home in Woodbridge, Virginia.



Catherine worked briefly at the Army Map Service (currently the Defense Mapping Agency) while in college before devoting herself to caring for her growing family. In early 1962 Joe came home from work and shared that they were being offered the opportunity to post in Japan for his work with the U.S. government. Catherine was ready for the adventure and a few months later they were sailing across the Pacific Ocean with five small children, the oldest six and a half, and their sixth child on the way.



In 1964, they returned to Washington, DC and purchased a house just two blocks from Catherine's childhood home in the Palisades neighborhood. The location provided many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with its proximity to the Potomac River, the C&O canal and the amazing cultural opportunities of the city's many museums – a love she shared with her children instilling in them a deep appreciation for culture, arts and a love for nature. Tent camping or visiting one of the beaches in Maryland or Virginia were always Catherine's preferred vacation destinations.



Catherine worked as a volunteer at the ZOO Lab at the National Zoo for five years in the 1980s sharing her love for the environment with school children from all over the DC area. She also volunteered at the polls for elections during the 1980s and 1990s and was always happy to serve as a juror whenever she was asked to perform her civic duty.



In 2004 Catherine and Joe relocated to Marion, Illinois to be close to their youngest daughter. They resided in Marion for the last 19 years of their lives. Joe passed away in September of 2022 and with the love of her life no longer at her side Catherine's health began to fail. Catherine died peacefully on April 8, 2023, at Reflections Memory Care in Herrin, Illinois with her children by her side.



Catherine is survived by her beloved brother, F. Gregory Neubeck, six of her seven children, Patricia Kelly, Karen Kelly-Shea (Denny), Jeanne Marie Nealon (Bob), Mary Margaret Kelly (Mike Thompson), Brian Kelly (Stefania), and Monica Murphy (John), a nephew Greg Neubeck, Jr. grandchildren Kelly Rose and Emmet Shea, Ryan, Emma, Kelly Marie and Gavin Nealon, Thomas Kelly, Austin Waller Griffin, Dylan, Alessandra and Liam Kelly and EllaMarie and Sean Murphy and five great-grandchildren.



She was predeceased by her parents Mary and Frank Neubeck, her husband Joseph M. Kelly, her sister Mary Ann Richeson, son Michael G. Kelly, niece Ann Neubeck and nephew Jim Richeson.



Binkley-Ross Funeral Home has been entrusted to assist the family with arrangements. Visitation will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale, Illinois on Saturday, April 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. with a Funeral Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. At a later date Catherine and husband Joseph will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery.



In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church or to the Friends of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.