Barbara T. Kelly

On December 4, 2023, Barbara Therese Kelly left this life for the next. She was born in Lansing MI on October 11, 1949, the seventh child of Francis P. (Pat) Kelly and Ruth M. (Burdick) Kelly.  Wanderlust was born with her.  She was schooled at Resurrection School in Lansing, St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, Loyola University in Chicago and in Rome, and Michigan State University.  She studied French, German, Italian, and Spanish, and became fluent in all four.  She traveled near and far, until she couldn’t.  Barb volunteered at an elephant sanctuary, a stint that was life-changing.

She was a career social worker for the State of Michigan.  As a side gig, she bought a van, hired a few techies, and started, “Geeks To Go,” bringing life back to clunky desk tops and the users who were flummoxed by it all.

Barbara is survived by her sisters Margaret and Patricia, dear friends April and Judy, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Her friends in Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Rome, Berlin, Paris, Dublin, and London will miss her.  Family members who passed before her were her parents, and siblings Howard, Francis “Mick”, Ruth Anne OP, Robert, and Mary Kathleen.

Barbara would like to be remembered as a champion of all living things, big and small.  She bristled at injustice to the infirm, the disenfranchised, and the poor.  They were fortunate to have her in their corners.

We are grateful for the care and compassionate kindness she received from the medical staff at Sparrow Hospital Medical Intensive Care Unit.

Per her request, there will not be a funeral service.  A private family gathering will be at a later date.  People who are so inclined may pray for her and anxiously await her news from the other side.

Memorial donations may be made to the Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, MI, 49221. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel.