Louise Ethel Gifford Kelley, 89, a Plymouth resident since 2007, passed away at 2:40 a.m. on Monday, July 2, 2012 in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth. She had previously lived in the state of Massachusetts, Hobart, IN; Merrillville, IN; Gary, IN and Culver, IN.
The daughter of Thomas Albert and Edna Byron Myrick Gifford, Louise was born on March 12, 1923 in Acushnet, Massachusetts. She was a 1941 graduate of New Bedford High School in Massachusetts. She had furthered her education by taking courses in Bookkeeping.
On September 7, 1944, Louise and Robert Jerome Kelley, who were both in the Navy, were united in marriage by a Navy Chaplin in Quincy, Massachusetts. Robert preceded her in death on May 26, 1971.
A U S. Navy veteran, she repaired Aircraft Instruments during W.W.II. Louise enlisted in 1943 and was discharged in 1945.
Known as the Candy Lady, she made candy for her children, then had requests from others, which kept her business growing in her home in Merrillville. Louise also made Miss Indiana’s Cardinal outfit, was the seamstress for Anorean High School, in Merrillville, worked at the Post office substation in Merrillville, was a secretary at St. Peters and Paul Church in Merrillville, had been the bookkeeper for Superior Drywall in Valparaiso and had opened a candy store in Massachusetts.
A neighbor once told Louise that she had the “cleanest patched kids in the neighborhood”. Louise was a member of the American Legion Post #94 in Valparaiso, and the V.F.W. Post #6919 in Culver.
She is survived by five daughters and four sons. Her daughters are: Sister Kathleen Louise Kelley of Plymouth, Marleen (Jack) Baum of Valparaiso, Margaret A. (Donald) Kerr of N. Las Vegas, Jayne E. (Richard) Gifford of E. Freetown Mass. and Mary Fugate of Plymouth. Her sons are: Robert. J. (Pam) Kelley, Jr. of Columbus, OH, Jerald J. (Tommie) Kelley of Crown Point, John T. (Bobbett) Kelley of Ft. Wayne and Raymond J. (Delores) Kelley of Hobart. Also surviving are 22 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert, a son Tim Kelley, three Sisters: Edna Bastarache, Gladys De Balsi, Ethyl Dunsmore and four brothers: Thomas Gifford, Jr., Raymond Gifford, Kenneth Gifford and Lynwood Gifford.
Friends may visit with Louise’s family from 4 to 8 p.m. EDT on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. John Zemelko, will be held on Friday, July 6, 2012, at 11:15 a.m. EDT at the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel, 9601 Union Road, Donaldson. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Portage, IN.
Memorial contributions in Louise’s name may be made to the Cancer Association of Marshall County, 9739 Sunnyside Dr., Plymouth, IN 46563 or the Catherine Kasper Life Center, P.O. Box 1, 9601 Union Road, Donaldson, IN 46513
Mary Lou McCarthy-Artz says
My sympathy is extended to Sr. Kathleen and the family of Mrs. Kelley.
Eloise Geiselhofer says
Sister Kathleen,
So sorry to hear about the death of your mother. I know you have cared for her for awhile so this must be difficult for you.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Love, Eloise and Frank Geiselhofer
Lois M. Longshaw says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Aunty was a wonderful lady! She always made us feel special!
Love
Lois
Jay Krasne says
My deepest sympathies for your loss. I will. Ever forget visiting \”Kelley Kids\” at the housein Gary where Uncle Bob, Aunt Louise and my mother, aunt Dorothy would \”settle world affairs\” at the dining room table. See you all soon. — Jay & Val Krasne
Toni and Nette Josleyn and Jim Brucks says
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We lost our Mom in December. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat and Bob Stout says
Neighbors on 57th Ave., Merrillville. I remember something your Mother said; before I fall asleep, I have in my mind something I must do the next day. One of those things was to paint all the screens silver… Many times I recall her inspriation to keep going.
Sr. Margaret Anne Henss says
Dear Kathleen and family,
Please know that I am praying for all of you as you mourn the death of your mother/grandmother. Louise was a great lady. I always enjoyed visiting with her. My first memory of her is staying at your home one Easter vacation because it was too far to go home.
I know your mom is enjoying the Lord and is with your Dad and other family members. It is hard to hear but she is in peace and free from suffering.
May God grant you peace and comfort.
Love, Margaret Anne
Candace Scheidt says
Dear Sr. Kathleen and Family,
I am very sorry foryour loss. Your mom was an amazing lady! She had a lively spirit and a warm smile. My prayers surround you at this time when you must say good bye to her. You were blessed to have her with you so many years. May your many good memories of her give you comfort.
With love,
Candace Scheidt
Mary Lou McCarthy-Artz says
My sympathy is extended to Sr. Kathleen and the family of Mrs. Kelley.
Eloise Geiselhofer says
Sister Kathleen,
So sorry to hear about the death of your mother. I know you have cared for her for awhile so this must be difficult for you.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Love, Eloise and Frank Geiselhofer
Lois M. Longshaw says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Aunty was a wonderful lady! She always made us feel special!
Love
Lois
Jay Krasne says
My deepest sympathies for your loss. I will. Ever forget visiting \”Kelley Kids\” at the housein Gary where Uncle Bob, Aunt Louise and my mother, aunt Dorothy would \”settle world affairs\” at the dining room table. See you all soon. — Jay & Val Krasne
Toni and Nette Josleyn and Jim Brucks says
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We lost our Mom in December. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat and Bob Stout says
Neighbors on 57th Ave., Merrillville. I remember something your Mother said; before I fall asleep, I have in my mind something I must do the next day. One of those things was to paint all the screens silver… Many times I recall her inspriation to keep going.
Sr. Margaret Anne Henss says
Dear Kathleen and family,
Please know that I am praying for all of you as you mourn the death of your mother/grandmother. Louise was a great lady. I always enjoyed visiting with her. My first memory of her is staying at your home one Easter vacation because it was too far to go home.
I know your mom is enjoying the Lord and is with your Dad and other family members. It is hard to hear but she is in peace and free from suffering.
May God grant you peace and comfort.
Love, Margaret Anne
Candace Scheidt says
Dear Sr. Kathleen and Family,
I am very sorry foryour loss. Your mom was an amazing lady! She had a lively spirit and a warm smile. My prayers surround you at this time when you must say good bye to her. You were blessed to have her with you so many years. May your many good memories of her give you comfort.
With love,
Candace Scheidt