Mary Boyce Kelly

Mary Boyce Kelly, 95, passed away on Wednesday January 1, 2025. She was born in Poultney, VT, in 1929, the daughter of the late Mary Emma (Bree) and George P. Boyce. Mary grew up on a farm with her eight siblings, sharing many fond memories of her childhood. As a teenager, she traveled with her sister to New York City, where she was in Times Square when the end of World War II was announced. Mary graduated from Poultney High School in 1947, where her class motto was “No effort, No results”—words she lived by and instilled in her family. She went on to graduate from Mildred Elley Secretarial School in 1948. She worked at General Electric in Schenectady, NY, until her retirement. Mary was a two-time breast cancer survivor, first diagnosed in the early 1970s and again 25 years later, demonstrating incredible strength and resilience. Her hobbies included button collecting, gardening, reading, and traveling.

Mary is survived by her son, Paul (Patricia) Kelly of Richmond, VA; daughter-in-law, Arlene Kelly of Schenectady; son-in-law, Shawn Heaney of Bay Cliff, TX; and eleven grandchildren: Thomas J. (Patricia) Kelly of Ithaca, NY; Theresa (Joe) Doty of Schenectady; Christina (Brent) Schmelzle of Orlando, FL; Laurie Rasmussen of Charlton, NY; Stephanie (Robert) Cournoyer of Mechanicville, NY; Paul Kelly of Richmond, VA; Eileen (Logan) Williams of Prosper, TX; Alison (Kurt) Smith of Richmond, VA; Shawn Heaney of League City, TX; Tim (Brooke) Heaney of Reading, MA; and Joe Heaney (David Rossi) of Schenectady. She is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren and her four brothers: George R.(Myrna) of Largo, FL; Charles N.(Shirley) of Mt. Dora, FL; Stephen M.(Wendy) of San Francisco, CA; and James D. (Janet) of South Pasadena, CA. Additionally, she is survived by sister-in-law Harriet Boyce of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Thomas P. Kelly (2002); her daughter Kathryn A. (1966); her daughter Susan C. Heaney (2012); her son Thomas J. Kelly (2020); her sister Sylvia Murphy (2006); brother John J. Boyce (2011); brother Paul B. Boyce (2012); and sister Anne T. Ashley (2016).

Memorial calling hours will be held on Friday February 21st from 4 to 6pm at the DeMarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam, with burial in Poultney, VT, in July. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation www.nationalbreastcancer.org or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation www.cff.org. Condolences can be posted at demarcostonefuneralhome.com.