Sister M. Timothy Kelley Rsm Obituary (1918 - 2017)

Sister M. Timothy Kelley, RSM, died on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse, Erie, Pa. She was in her 70th year of religious life. Born on Sept. 25, 1918, in Mansfield, Ohio, and baptized Jane Kelley, she was a daughter of the late Patrick and Maude (Davey) Kelley. On Nov. 21, 1947, after teaching at Mercyhurst College in Erie, she entered the Sisters of Mercy at St. Joseph Convent, Titusville, Pa., from Saint Peter's Church in Mansfield, Ohio. She professed perpetual vows on June 21, 1953. In 1975, she celebrated her Silver Jubilee; in 1998, her Golden Jubilee; in 2007, her Diamond Jubilee and in 2017, she would have celebrated her 70th Jubilee. Prior to entering the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Timothy earned a bachelor's degree from Marygrove College in Detroit, Mich., and a master's degree from Michigan State University. She taught home economics in Ohio public schools from 1940-44 and at Mercyhurst College from 1944-47. After entering the Sisters of Mercy, she served as principal of Saint Titus School in Titusville from 1949-55, before becoming the founding principal at St. Luke School in Erie between 1955-60. Sister Timothy served as chairperson of the Home Economics Department at Central Catholic High School in DuBois, Pa., from 1960-66. She returned in 1968 and held that position until 1984, after briefly serving as novitiate director from 1966-67. Returning to Erie in 1984, she directed food services at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse, provided personal care and taught in the Saint Luke Parish Religious Education Program from 1991-97. Three brothers and one sister predeceased her: Robert P. Kelley, John L. Kelley, James P. Kelley, USN, and Juliann Kelley. Members of her religious community and several nephews survive: Gregory Kelley, Thomas E. Kelley, Stephen Kelley, Robert P. Kelley and Patrick Kelley. Friends may call at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse, 444 E. Grandview Blvd., on Friday from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-8 p.m. A vigil service will be Friday at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Sisters of Mercy Chapel followed by a luncheon. Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Erie. Contributions can be made to the Sisters of Mercy Ministry Fund, 444 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, Pa. 16504. The Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Rd., is handling arrangements.