Obituary of Marion E. Kelley

It is with great sadness that the family of Marion E. Kelley announces her passing at age 62 on July 10, 2018. Marion was born in New York City, raised in Chelmsford, MA and lived in Bedminster, NJ for the last 8 years. Marion was a warm and welcoming woman who had the gift of putting those around her at ease, arising from her being a great listener and interested conversationalist. She had a wonderful sense of humor and could spin a colorful tale, which often ended with a joyful, unmistakable laugh. Those who knew her could always depend on her to be supportive and loving. Although she spent most of her life teaching and raising two children in New Jersey, she never considered herself a "Jersey Girl" and maintained a strong New England identity and special place in her heart for Bar Harbor, Maine. Marion received her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in 1982. She worked as an early education special needs teacher for over 30 years including Wharton Elementary School, Franklin (Warren County) Elementary School, and for more than 20 years at Mansfield Elementary School, Port Murray NJ. She retired in 2016. Marion treasured time spent with her daughters, and time spent with her mother and family while vacationing in Bar Harbor. Over the past 6 years, her love and devotion for her husband was unending and brought Marion great joy. Marion was predeceased by her father Walter C. Kelley and sister Theresa Kelley-Spencer. She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Frank Nafey; her daughters, Caitlyn Collazo and Mariel Collazo; her mother, Marion C. Kelley; her siblings, Charles Kelley and wife Terry, Aileen Kelley Chapman, Rosemary Kelley Demers and husband Steve, Gina Keating and husband Gerard, Walter Kelley and partner Ann Pyburn, James Kelley and wife Debbie, Tara Vachon and husband Michael and many nieces and nephews. Marion also leaves behind her sister-in-laws Donna Korcz and Jean Williams and husband John Williams, mother-in-law Rose Nafey. To commemorate her love and passion for the special needs community, for whom she worked for decades, donations can be made to the Somerset Hills YMCA to support the Saturdays in Motion program and other programs for people with special needs. 140 Mt. Airy Rd. Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Services are under the direction of Higgins Home for Funerals, Watchung. Marion gave the gift of life by being part of the Sharing Network organ donations.