Dolly Ann Kelly

Dolores Ann Kelly embraced almost 94 years of life with a smile on her lips, a song in her heart, and a question on her mind. She passed away early in the morning on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

 Dolly, the daughter of Rufus and Albena Miller, was born October 31, 1930 in California, moved to Albuquerque as a child, and attended St. Mary’s. At 19, Dolly married her high school sweetheart, Bob, and the two embarked on a most significant chapter: raising their family. Dolly spent the next few decades raising seven wonderful children who would grow to embody the best of Dolly: devotion to family, intellectual curiosity, positivity, humor, and musicality. 

 As Dolly’s children grew, she relished her newfound time by returning to university to earn a degree at the age of 60, putting hundreds of miles on her bicycle, hitting the road with Bob in their minivan, traveling the world, and as always, prioritizing her family as it entered the new phase of grandchildren. Her grandchildren experienced Dolly as a steadfast presence who was fiercely loyal and joyfully supportive. She had the gift of making each of her 15 grandchildren feel specially loved and celebrated.

 A devout Catholic and 62-year member of the Annunciation Parish, Dolly served as a community leader participating in music ministry, modeling a steady faith, and radiating her characteristic optimism. She had a generous spirit and humbled herself in service to the community organizing food drives, completing home visits to assist those in need, preparing food and washing dishes at a local charity, and supporting young couples with her wisdom and experience. Dolly was always singing or whistling a tune, found humor in the irreverent, was a voracious reader, a lover of obscure vocabulary, a student of history and politics, and a passionate musician. She made a friend everywhere she went, and could instantly recall a song lyric to match any situation.

 Dolly spent her last days surrounded by her loving family as they reminisced, laughed, cried, and took turns playing Dolly her favorite songs. Dolly’s powerful legacy is a wide community, including nearly 50 immediate family members, of people who loved her dearly. The best of Dolly lives within us all.

 Dolly is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Bob; granddaughter Crystal; and daughter-in-law Julie. She is survived by her children: Bob (Barb), Jane (Jim), Mike (Marianne), Pat, Brian, Dan (Suzanne), and Matt. Her 15 grandchildren: Jenn (Phil), David (Jessica), Jon (Karla), Sarah (Erik), Sam, Mary (Brent), Leah (David), Meghan (Kurt), Sophie, Catherine, Aidan, Camille (Brian), Jane (Garrett), and Claire. And her 14 great grandchildren: Arwyn, Alhana, Gianni, Owen, Lianna, Jude, Parker, Asher, Nola, River, Ruby, Koen, Anna, and Max. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity Dolly held dear: Roadrunner Food Bank (https://www.rrfb.org/), Catholic Charities of New Mexico (https://www.ccasfnm.org/donate.html), or Nicaragua Advances in Christian Education (NACE) (https://www.nacenicaragua.org/).

 A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 - FRENCH Funerals & Cremations Wyoming Chapel at 7:00pm. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 - Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church at 8:30am.