Joan Marie Kelly

    Joan Marie Kelly, aged 82, passed away on December 8, 2023 of natural causes. Joan was born in Plymouth, Mass. (a few blocks from the famous rock) as the fourth of five children of Martin & Margaret Kelly. She grew up in Whitman, Mass. (home to the toll house restaurant where the chocolate chip cookie was created).

Joan is survived by her son, Jon Aloysius Byrnes of Honolulu, Hawaii, her sister Patricia of Pueblo West, Colorado, her brother John of Concord, New Hampshire, and her brother Martin and his wife Dorothy of Plymouth, Mass, her nine nieces and nephews and her ten grand nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Margaret, her sister-in-law Rosalie, and her ex-husband, James Byrnes.

Joan had entered the convent at age 17, upon graduation from St. Patrick’s High School in Brockton, Mass. She taught school primarily at St. Cecelia’s School in Stamford, Conn., where her class consisted of 55 students. She left the convent before taking her perpetual vows, finishing her B.A. at Boston College and was awarded a full scholarship to Columbia University. She earned her PH.D. in School Psychology in 1972.

Joan worked as a school psychologist and then a Director of Special Education for the Greenwood Lake School District. She loved her job and was able to help a lot of children and parents. Joan was also an avid scrabble player who was rated nationally, played in tournaments across the country, and won a few here and there, making best friends along the way. She was also very proud of her Irish heritage and will be missed by her family, friends, and colleagues. 

    Memorial Services will be held 11 AM Saturday, May 18th at the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, 26 Grove St., Middletown, NY.

    Arrangements have been entrusted to Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY. 

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