Dr. Patricia Berg Kelly

Dr. Patricia Berg Kelly, a mother, aunt, mentor, friend, and distinguished educator in Prince George's and Montgomery counties for half a century, passed away peacefully under the care of home hospice with family and friends at her side on October 7, 2025. The cause was the return of breast cancer, which had been in remission since 2023. She was 77 years of age.

Patricia began her career as an elementary school Special Education resource room teacher in 1971 in Prince George's County after earning a Master's in special education from The Catholic University of America, also the source of her undergraduate training and later her doctorate. Multiple years of experience running a resource room evolved into a role with managerial responsibilities when she was tapped as coordinator of a new multi-categorical special education program, which simultaneously addressed the needs of children whose challenges included either cognitive impairments, emotional difficulties, autism, or some combination of those conditions.

That managerial assignment sparked a deeper interest in educational administration, prompting Dr. Kelly to take up the role of vice principal at the middle school level, and later principal at Langley Park-McCormack Elementary in Prince George's County. There, she fostered parental involvement and a vibrant sense of community. She also continued her devotion to teacher development through the care she invested in teacher observations and evaluations. The Langley Park-McCormack community became like family to Dr. Kelly, and that connection remained strong throughout her life.


Moving closer to home for the last chapter of her career, Dr. Kelly switched to Montgomery County, first as principal of Greenwood Elementary and then Westover Elementary, where she ended her half century of service with retirement in 2018. In between those two assignments, the county's leadership recognized her special education chops and tapped her as the Director of Special Education at the Montgomery County Public School headquarters. Her tenure in Montgomery County earned her the 2014 Principal of the Year honors.

When Dr. Patricia Kelly was at the helm, neither instruction nor direction were commodities in short supply. Nor were love and compassion for teachers, students, and the school community. An encomium that may best summarize her tenure as an educator and leader came from a valued colleague whom she had mentored, "Dr. Kelly would never ask you to do anything that she wouldn't do herself."

When not working, Dr. Kelly could be found gardening, relaxing with beachfront reading, doing puzzles of various kinds, shopping for the most thoughtful of gifts, and writing cards to friends and family. She loved movies and attending the theatre, especially Hamilton and Kinky Boots, and museum exhibits (for up to one hour). She was also a devoted fan of the Nats, and continued to grieve Soto's departure.

Dr. Kelly was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania to John and Elinor Berg (nee Perriello). She is survived by a daughter, Jaclyn Kelly of New York City, her ex-husband Dr. Leonard Kelly, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her sister Eleanor Wisniewski of Moorestown, NJ.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, November 22. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to a cause close to Dr. Kelly's heart, Silver Spring Progressive Action, via website https://ssprogressiveaction.org/patty-kelly-memorial/ or check to Silver Spring Progressive Action, 940 Thayer Avenue, #8351, Silver Spring, MD, 20907