Joan Towns Kelley, 82 of Waterville, NY, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at the Masonic Care Community, Utica, NY.
She was born March 23, 1929 in Oriskany Falls, a daughter of the late Hiram and Katie Lindsay Towns and was a graduate of Oriskany Falls High School. On June 12, 1948, Joan married Francis R. Kelley in Waterville. He predeceased her on November 19, 2001. A resident of Waterville most of her life, Joan was a wife, mother and grandmother who devoted herself to making a loving home for her family. She was a fan of the New York Yankees; a former member of the Clifford J. Fulmer American Legion Post #92 Auxiliary and the Waterville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
Surviving are her children, Cynthia Petrie and her fiancé, Vance Tallman of Oriskany Falls and Kimberly Kelley of Waterville; four grandchildren, Harley, Jack, Dalton and Mercedes Tallman; a sister-in-law, Jackie Towns of Lancaster, PA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Connie Kelley of Waterville; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, William “Ollie” Towns; two sisters, Kathleen Henessey and Helen Houck. She was also predeceased by her feline companion, Peanuts.
Services will be private at the convenience of her family with interment in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Waterville.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Waterville Ambulance Squad, or to the Stevens-Swan Humane Society.
Joan’s family wishes to express their gratitude to the Masonic Home staff for their loving and compassionate care.
Arrangements are by Kloster-Northrop & Bentz Funeral Home, 210 East Main St., Waterville.