Obituary of Angeline Kelly

“Old Grandma” 

Angeline was called home to be with the Lord on New Year’s Eve at the age of 95. She was recently diagnosed with late-stage Vascular Dementia. Angie was born on March 3, 1928 in Chicago, IL. She moved with her family to Tacoma at the age of 14 years old.

Angie attended Aquinas Academy. She met John L Kelly Sr in 1944 where they were high school sweethearts. They were married on February 19th, 1950 and were married for 52 years. Angie and John had 3 beautiful children whom they loved so much. Angie is survived by her children Debbie Breckner (Rod), John L Kelly Jr, and Diane Baker. Grandchildren Rodney (Carri), Alicia (Joe), Laura (Dwight) and her 7 great grandchildren - Chloe (Jacklyn), Sydney, Gunner, Madison, Abby, Isaac, and Kennady, her sister-in-law Patty Ragan (Lonnie), her nephew Anthony Riccobono, and her first friend when she moved to Tacoma, Toni Mineo. And many other nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Angie worked at Rhodes Post with her sister Laura in the mid 1960’s, and began her love for bingo. She also worked at the VFW and Skating Bingo in the 1990’s, where she made many friends. She always had a smile on her face and was always willing to help a friend. She truly loved everyone. She was known for her selflessness, generous heart, her love of bingo, her endless stories, sneaking table scraps to the dogs under the dinner table, and playing solitaire up until a week before her passing.

Angie was able to remain in her home with the help of her daughter Diane, and granddaughter Laura who stepped in to be her caregivers for the last several years of her life. Their special relationship allowed her to live among familiar surroundings which included weekly visits from her great granddaughter Kennady, whom she called her “nurse.”

She is preceded in death by her husband John, her father and mother Vito and Eva Passanante, her brother Anthony Passanante (June), her nephew Tony whom she shared a special bond with, her sister Laura Riccobono (John), and daughter in law Christine Kelly.  A special thank you to her niece Tami Durr, who advocated the best care for her at the hospital in her final weeks of life.

“May the Lord hold us in the hollow of his hand”