SUSAN HARRISON KELLY, 1939 - 2018
Susan Harrison Kelly passed away gracefully at home September 8, 2018, surrounded by family, friends, and dogs.
A lifelong Santa Fean and artist, Susan was born February 23, 1939. She studied art under Jozef Bakos at Santa Fe High School, at the University of New Mexico, and with Nathan Olivari at the Santa Fe Art Institute. She was a longtime member of the esteemed John Sloan Drawing Group. Susan became a professional artist, showing her glowing New Mexico landscapes, abstracts, charcoal drawings, monotypes, and portraits in Canyon Road galleries and beyond. One of her most memorable art exhibitions was a grand pictorial history of the Gross Kelly family and Mercantile Co. exhibited at St. John’s College.
Susan had a beautiful singing voice and was a professional folk singer. She toured the country in the early sixties with her singing partner Carol Gapa. The duet performed locally at The Three Cities of Spain, The Pink Garter in Lamy, NM and The Red Onion in Aspen, Co. They were on a Voice Of America Broadcast. She and Carol produced a CD of cherished children’s lullabies.
Always active in the community, Susan served on the Museum of Fine Arts Women’s Board as well as boards of the International Museum of Folk Art and Spanish Colonial Arts Market.
Throughout her life she focused on aiding those suffering from the plight of homelessness. A founding member of the St. Elizabeth Shelter, she also organized two art auctions to benefit the Santa Fe Youth Shelter. She was currently serving on the Advisory Board of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness.
Susan and her husband Booker loved to travel, and lived like gypsies with their young family in Spain and England for two years.
Susan’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. She grew up Episcopalian and converted to Catholicism, her husband’s faith. She was active in the Liturgy Center of Santa Fe, the Carmelite Monastery, Christ In the Desert Monastery, and Cristo Rey Church.
Susan was a light in the lives of her immediate and extended family and host of friends. She was a buoyant spirit of generous devotion. She possessed abounding imagination, joy of life, and a gift of mischief. Susan was the daughter of Evelyn Harrison, an artist, and newsman Will Harrison, editor of The Santa Fe New Mexican. She was married to attorney William Booker Kelly for 45 years until his death in 2004. Susan is survived by her beloved children and grandchildren. She was the mother of Rachel Kelly (Christopher Purvis), Patrick Kelly (Hedy Helfand), and Ana Kelly (Asa Luke Two Crow); grandmother of Sara and John Booker Grab; Sean, Gabrielle, and Rowan Kelly; Isabella Two Crow; and Julia, Annabel and Graham Purvis. She is also survived by her dear companion Michael Maremont.
Susan will be deeply and dearly missed. A memorial to celebrate her life will be held during the Christmas holiday season and announced later this fall. Contributions may be made in Susan’s memory to the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, Hank Hughes, 505-982-9000.