Obituary of Karen Joy Kelly

Karen Joy Kelly (nee Ford), of Beach Haven, NJ passed away on March 12, 2015 in Jupiter, FL. Joy was born on March 23, 1957 in Bristol, Pa. She attended Bishop Conwell High School (’75) then Indiana University of Pennsylvania (’79). Joy married Patrick Kelly in 1983 in Fairless Hills, Pa. They resided in Cranberry/Hightstown, NJ where Joy taught at Hamilton West High School in Hamilton, NJ. Joy and Pat moved to Beach Haven, NJ in 1986 to take over the family business, the Coral Seas Motel, which they have owned and have been operating for 28 years. Joy was an active member of the Long Beach Island Garden Club for 21 years, the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club for over 23 years, and an active volunteer in the Beach Haven community over the years. She was a loving mother adored by her three daughters. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all that knew her. Joy is predeceased by her mother Margaret Ford (nee Elnicki). She is survived by her husband Patrick Kelly and their three daughters Jacqueline Kelly Monaghan (Sean) of Beach Haven, NJ, Mary Kate Kelly of Beach Haven, NJ, and Margaret Ann Kelly of Arlington, VA. Also survived by her father Thomas Michael Ford of Feasterville, PA and three brothers Thomas Ford of Holland, PA, Timothy Ford of Yardley, PA, and Kevin Ford of Philadelphia, PA. A Memorial Gathering will be held on Wednesday March 25, 2015 from 6pm to 9pm at Maxwell Funeral Home, 573 Millcreek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050. A funeral service will be held on Thursday March 26, 2015 at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Innocents on Marine Street in Beach Haven, NJ at 10 am. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joy’s life. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org or David’s Dream and Believe Foundation at www.davidsdreamandbelieve.org/donations/