There’s an embroidered cushion on our couch that reads “A fisherman lives here with the catch of his life”.
 
Today we share the news that Carolyn Ann (Stewart) Kelley has reunited with her fisherman, Albert Ernest “Bert” Kelley, in that great sea in the sky.  Mom passed on quietly surrounded by her family and friends in her South Dennis home on Friday, December 23, 2022.  Having celebrated her 91^st birthday with family just 20 days earlier, she radiated the same upbeat and loving spirit for which she was known, right up to her last moments.
 
Carolyn grew up in Quincy and lived a full, varied and active lifestyle.  She was a self-taught legal secretary (having taught herself shorthand), a hard working waitress and a single Mom when she landed on Cape Cod to live, having moved from Quincy and Dorchester in the mid 1950’s.  She became a real estate broker, often working two jobs.  While waitressing she met Bert at the Chuck Wagon in Harwich Port. They married in 1962 and were married for 54 years until Bert passed away on December 28, 2016.
 
They both worked very hard supporting a blended family.  Bert and Carolyn each had children from previous marriages.  She worked in the Town of Dennis schools, starting at the Ezra H. Baker Elementary School in 1977, then Nathaniel E. Wixon Middle School , achieving tenure as the go-to assistant to Principal William Griffith.  She then moved to Dennis-Yarmouth Regional  High School following youngest son, Ed through the grades before retiring from the Dennis Yarmouth Regional School Administration Office in 1998, although she was often called on to come back and help.  Carolyn was greatly involved in the school’s transition into the digital age.
 
When someone had a question of any kind, the mantra was “let’s ask Carolyn”. That theme resonated not only at work, but at home and throughout the community.  Her impact reached from the Kelley homestead through her rapidly growing Follins Pond neighborhood, to countless families of students and teachers throughout the Mid-Cape.  Everyone seems to have a story on how Carolyn was there when no one else was able to help.
 
Her gift of knowing just how soft or tough she needed to be in every situation was a treasure that cannot be replaced.  We can only be so lucky as to ever have a person so able to share compassion, love, and joy in life.
 
 She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother as well as a good neighbor to all on Cape Cod and Hobe Sound, FL.
 
Carolyn leaves behind her daughter Ginny Dafiotis of Canton, MA, her sons Robert Kelley of Hobe Sound, FL, Timothy Kelley and his wife, Janet of Weymouth, MA, Kevin Kelley of South Dennis, MA, Edward Kelley and his wife, Diane of West Dennis, MA and Sandy and her husband, Steve Montoux of Sarasota, FL.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kayleigh, Matthew, and William Kelley, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert E. Kelley, parents Albert and Viola Stewart, son Jack Kelley, sisters Lois Bogue and Judy Cooper, and brother Alan Stewart.


 
Please join us to share your memories on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 from 4:30 - 6:30 P.M. at Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA 02664.  A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at Hallett Funeral Home followed by interment in South Dennis Cemetery, Main St., South Dennis, MA.
 
In lieu of flowers please share an extra smile or moment of kindness for someone who needs it most – the Carolyn Kelley way.
 
 

No one spread more LOVE in a lifetime than Carolyn. She will always be in our Hearts. We are sharing in your sadness. Please accept our condolences & know that we are thinking of you all. Paul & Linda. Lois too.

My thoughts are with all of you: Ginny, Bob, Tim, Kevin and Ed on having lost your mother. I will miss her.

Ed so sorry for your loss . You and your family are in my thought and prayers ❤️