Kathleen E. (Kelly) Connell

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”

Kathleen, age 91, died peacefully at the Kentmere Nursing Home on August 24, 2018.   The daughter of the late James A. and Alice Sevier Kelly, Kathleen was born on March 18, 1927.

The loving mother of 12, Kathleen devoted her whole life to her children.  She worked 2-3 jobs at a time when faced with raising them on her own at the age of 38.  Over the years she housed newlyweds, helped with down payments for first homes, lodged those who lost their jobs, or were going through divorce, and often took out a loan to keep those in financial difficulties afloat.  She will be deeply missed by all who shared her life and remember her to be a selfless, kind, caring, compassionate woman.

She is survived by 10 children:  Ann C. DeMasi (Kamran Habibi), Roger M. Connell, Patrick M. Connell (Maureen), Dianne Hayden (Thomas), Mary Redding (James), Theresa Botta (Carl), Christine Connell (Clark Hoffman), Tamara Connell (Robert Sterling), Sean E. Connell, D. Kelly Connell (Rita).  She is also survived by 3 brothers and 3 sisters, 20 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.   She is predeceased by her parents, her son, Edward H. Connell (d.1978), her daughter, Jacqueline M. Connell (d. 2016), and her former husband, Clinton Robert Connell (d.2012).

Visitation will be held at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek, on Wednesday, August 29 from 10:00 to 11:00 am and a memorial celebration of life at 11:00 am.   Burial will be private.    

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Kathleen to:  St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.    The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Kentmere Nursing Home for their wonderful, loving support and care of Kathleen for the last several years of her life.

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