Anna H. ‘Nan’ Kelley, 80, of Port Ewen
Anna H. “Nan” Kelley, 80, of Lampman Avenue, Port Ewen, passed away while in the comforting presence of her family Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, at Albany Medical Center. After more than a decade battling cancer, she flies high in the lilt of Irish laughter, surrounded by a choir of angels.
Nan was born in Manchester, N.H., on April 20, 1938, a daughter of the late William and Catherine (Frost) Kelley.
Over the years, Nan’s angelic voice has filled the air with kindness, love, and life.
The sounds of Nan began on “Come Fly with Me,” a radio program sponsored by Kingston Travel and aired on WGHQ.
Her lullabies calmed babies and the Irish songs she sang calmed fears, giving peace to her family and friends.
Nan’s passion for people and communication made her the perfect assistant to the director of continuing education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. She was the voice of the department, guiding and greeting chefs, students, and guests to their perfect CIA experience. She would later retire from this position with great memories and friendships made throughout her career.
Nan had a passion for cooking and baking for her family; everyone loved her famous apple pie. She was a proud Republican and worked tirelessly making tens of thousands of phone calls for candidates she believed in. Most paramount in her life was her dedication to her family and being there for them no matter what. If you were lucky enough to know Nan, you know she is looking over you now.
Nan is survived by one daughter, Lorrie (Palen) Morse and her husband James of Port Ewen; her siblings, Carol Kelley of Plymouth, Mass., Edward Kelley and his wife Judith of Florida, and Brenda Kelley Winchell of Port Ewen; grandchildren, Shannon Cherny Rucker, her husband David of Atlanta, Ga., Courtney Cherny Geuss and her husband Jared of Port Ewen, Kameron Morse and Jordan Morse, both of Port Ewen; great-grandchildren Brooke and Cruz Geuss, and Maximilian Rucker; and a dear friend, Ursula Inghem of Kingston. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
She was predeceased by an infant brother, William Ernest.
Come Fly with Nan on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, at Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, 339 Broadway, Ulster Park, Town of Esopus. The Rev. Dr. David M. Brechter will officiate.
Nan’s family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service on Monday from 3 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The service will begin at 6:45 p.m.
Inurnment will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, at St. Remy Cemetery.
In lieu of fresh flowers, the family suggests indoor plants for loved ones to take home and nurture in memory of Nan, or contributions in Nan’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research, www.stjude.org/donate.
Send the family an expression of condolence by visiting Nan’s Book of Memories at www.GVVFH.com.