Mary Ann deGrandpre Kelly, 83, of Webster Groves, MO, passed away peacefully, after a brief illness, on April 11, 2018 at home surrounded by family and love. Mary Ann was born in Chicago, IL on February 2, 1935, with roots in Western Montana. She was preceded in death by her beloved son John Harrington Kelly, grandson John Kelly Tate, great grandson Abel Michael Scharf and her husband Joseph Power Kelly of Webster University. Mary Ann was a devoted mother to Joseph (Debbie) Kelly, Stephen (Maureen) Kelly, Michael (Sandy) Kelly, Mary Kelly Tate. Mary Ann was a cherished grandmother of John “Jud” (Emily) Kelly, Thomas Kelly, Jack Kelly, Bridget Kelly, Brendan Kelly, Colleen Kelly, Erin (Christopher) Scharf, Luke (Joanna) Kelly, Ian Kelly, Stephen Tate and Claire Tate. Mary Ann was a cherished great grandmother of Laramie Kelly and Brianna Scharf. Loved and admired by her family, friends and colleagues.
Mrs. Kelly was an inspirational English teacher remembered by thousands of her Webster Groves middle school students. Mary Ann’s avocation in life was the writing of poetry to which she devoted herself for over 50 years. In addition to being published and a sought-after reader of her poetry in local venues, she was a board member of the Saint Louis Poetry Center and a James H. Nash Poetry Contest winner. Her poems are also in the chapbook Nothing Smaller Than Your Elbow, Margie – An American Journal of Poetry, and the An Anthology of Saint Louis Verse.
A private service was held on April 14, 2018 at Kutis Funeral Home, internment to Resurrection Cemetery. A memorial celebrating her life will be on June 16, 2018, 1:00pm at The Focal Point, 2720 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood, MO.