Mary Jane (Jane) Kelley (age 93), beloved matriarch of the Kelley Family of New Carrollton, MD, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2021. Jane grew up in Meadville, PA, the third in a close family of 11 children. Jane parlayed her parents' work ethic and her caring nature to earn a registered nursing certificate in 1949. She ventured from home to Washington, DC for a pediatric nursing position at Georgetown Hospital. Jane soon met James William (Bill) Kelley of Springfield, MA, who was a law student at Georgetown University. They wed in 1953, were married for 43 years until Bill's passing in 1996, settled in New Carrollton where they raised seven children. The family traveled by car often to see family in PA and MA. Jane sold the family home and moved to Bowie in 2014, then to Severna Park in late 2020.

Jane was loved by many for the varied roles she naturally played throughout her rich life including daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grand- and great- grandmother, friend, neighbor, animal lover, family and neighborhood nurse, seamstress, cook, scout den mother, PTA parent, Blackthorne Irish Dance group member. Jane was a doer and a very good listener. She pitched in to support her local community, mostly around her kids' activities. She was a tireless advocate for mental health services and supported families as the president of the Prince Georges County Chapter of Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Jane maintained her nurse's license and worked in hospice services for a time.

Jane is survived by her children, William Kelley (and Karen) of Davidsonville, Margaret Kelley of Baltimore, David Kelley of Rockville, Catherine Kelley (Larry Bush) of Takoma Park, Daniel Kelley (Eileen Fisher) of Severna Park, Teresa Tillman (and Mac) of Petaluma, CA. She was predeceased by her son, Vincent Kelley who passed in 2020. She had 6 grandchildren (Heather, Patrick, Matthew, Sean, William, Kelley) and one great-granddaughter (Eliza Jane). She leaves behind two loving sisters and three brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jane's favorite things were gathering with family - she made countless homemade birthday cakes (don't forget the quarter), engaging with her grandchildren, and being with 'young people', encouraging her children to pursue their dreams, nurturing life in her garden while barefoot, dancing, singing, walking, laughing, watching the clouds, recalling dreams the next morning, and enjoying ice cream and flowers with glorious colors.

We celebrate Jane's life and will carry on her life philosophy - "Don't expect, experience."

A Memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, August 19, 2021 4:00pm-7:00pm at Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care, P.A. 495 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park 21146. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Friday August 20, 2021 at 11:00am at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church 689 Ritchie Highway Severna Park, MD 21146.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill via https://nami.org