Margaret "Doherty" Kelly

Margaret Ann (Doherty) Kelly, 93, of Manchester, CT and Quonochontaug, RI, beloved wife of the late Peter Francis Kelly, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in Westerly, RI, surrounded by her family. Margaret was born in Richmond, VA, on July 13, 1932, daughter of the late Frank J. and Marion Loyce (Wright) Doherty. She was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Class of 1950, and went on to work as an Executive Secretary. Margaret met and married the love of her life, Peter F. Kelly, on October 19, 1963, and they settled in Manchester, CT where they happily raised their family and spent 58 years together. Margaret was a stay-at-home mother and homemaker while her children were young and later was a librarian at Waddell Elementary School in Manchester. She was very involved in her children's activities and served as a den mother, brownie leader, and CCD teacher, and encouraged her children and grandchildren in all their endeavors. Margaret was happiest when surrounded by her family and never missed the opportunity to share in their interests, whether it was sporting events, theater, or sharing a book together. Margaret was blessed to enjoy sixty summers at the family summer cottage in Quonochontaug, RI, where she joyfully opened her home and heart to family, friends, neighbors, and the friends of her children and grandchildren. During her time in Quonny, she made lifelong friends and many happy memories with her family. Margaret was an active member of St. Bridget parish, unwavering in her faith and proud to serve in the role of God parent. She leaves her children, Nancy Rosenbaum and her husband Michael of South Windsor, Sharon Drago and her husband John of Pawcatuck, CT, and Michael Kelly of Corvallis, OR, her grandchildren, Ryan Rosenbaum, Stephen Rosenbaum and his fiancé Ella McGorry, Kathleen Rosenbaum, John Drago, Jr. and his wife Madelyn, Anne Drago, Matthew Drago, Sasha Kelly, and Skyla Kelly, her brother, Frank "Buddy" J. Doherty, Jr. and his wife Terri of Bolivia, NC, and her nieces and nephews, Peter, Tom and Todd Scanlon, David, Peggi and Chris Winn, Carol Hofer, Laurie Riggs, Michael and Sean Doherty. She was predeceased by her sister, Maxine Winn, and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, H. V. Winn, Kathleen and Frank Scanlon, Helen and Jack Sullivan and Anne Marie Kelly, and her nephew, Barry Scanlon. The family wants to thank everyone at Addison Place in Glastonbury, CT and Westerly Rehabilitation, Westerly, RI, for the loving and compassionate care they gave Margaret. Her family will receive friends on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 5-7 pm at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 10 am, meeting directly at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, St. Bridget Church, 80 Main St., Manchester, CT. Burial will follow at St. Bridget Cemetery in Manchester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Bridget School, 80 Main St., Manchester, CT 06042. For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com