Obituaries
Joan D. Kelley, 86
January 29, 2025
Joan D. Kelley, 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Masonic Village with her daughter by her side. She is now home with the Lord. Joan was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised by her mother, Frances Bradshaw. She was the loving wife of Jack Kelley with whom she shared nearly 30 years of marriage until the time of his passing in 2018.
Joan was a 1956 graduate of Germantown High School, Philadelphia. She attended Jefferson College of Nursing. Over the years, she worked as an RN in several hospital settings including the National Cancer Institute and Emergency Departments of Jefferson Medical Center and Geisinger Medical Center. Later in life, Joan returned to school and earned her BSN at Drake University.
Joan’s life was marked by her deep faith in the Lord and heartfelt love for her family and friends. She was quick to laugh, compassionate, articulate, elegant, resilient, and an optimist. Joan retained her love of Philadelphia and memories of growing up biking in Fairmount Park, participating in American Bandstand, and her time and friends from her nursing program. Joan found great joy in being a wonderful mom to her two daughters. There were a number of years when her life necessitated many moves to various states as well as to Panama and Germany, and she navigated this with determination and grace.
After Joan and Jack were married, they enjoyed many wonderful years together serving the Lord in various capacities, traveling extensively, and spending time with their grandchildren. It was very meaningful to Joan to have the opportunity to serve with Cru on Prayer Journeys. She was also blessed to spend time with some wonderful women while leading Bible studies and mentoring. Joan was ordained as a Chaplain following completion of the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center. She loved spending time with her family in Cedar Run and in Ocean City, NJ. It would also be noteworthy to mention her delight in her Black Labrador Retrievers she had over the years, the last of whom were Abe and Josh.
Joan will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Lisa (Scott) Shenk of Mount Joy and grandchildren Brian Shenk, Aria Hess, and Josh (Amilla) Hess. She is also survived by a stepson, Walter (Sherree) Kelley, stepdaughter, Emily (Chris) Morris, Walter Morris and Abby Morris.
Joan was predeceased by her mother, Frances Bradshaw, stepfather, Howard Bradshaw, loving husband, Jack Kelley, and daughter, Leanne Hess.
A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11am with Pastor Jonathan Witmer officiating. The memorial service will be held at Charles Snyder Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. Interment at Cedar Run Baptist Church Cemetery, Cedar Run, PA to be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, if you would be interested in making a memorial contribution, please consider Cru, P.O. Box 628222, Orlando, FL 32862 or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.
The family would like to thank the staff of Masonic Village Hospice and the Evergreen Neighborhood for their care and compassion.
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Condolences to the Family
February 11, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss. Joan was like a mother to me. She was a very special lady and mentor. I know she is with the Lord and reunited with loved ones. You all will be in my prayers.
Laurie Kauffman
February 06, 2025
She is with Jesus now
Sue Badger
- Services
- Saturday, March 08, 2025
- 11:00 AM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
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