DINA ANN (PELLETIER) KELLY

ASHLAND – Our Mother, Dina Ann (Pelletier) Kelly, born Feb. 7, 1944, died unexpectedly of surgical complications at Central Maine Medical Center on Nov. 19, 2003, surrounded by her family. Mom was born in Allagash, on a rather unremarkable day in the winter of 1944 as the second child of Maynard and Nora Pelletier. Her older brother Dale was later accompanied not only by our Mother but also by three younger siblings, Larry and Terry, the twins, and later by Michael. Although her family moved throughout Northern Maine as they grew, Mom always returned to and always considered Allagash to be home. Mom married and is survived by her loving and devoted husband, P. Michael Kelly, of Saint Francis. They settled in Ashland in 1963 where they reared four children, Sherry, Eileen, Terrance and Timothy. Many people may feel that our mother was cast the unremarkable lot of a homemaker, which she was while our father provided more than any family could ever expect, request or hope for. But, if it were not for our Mother unselfishly being the bookkeeper, secretary, cook, and supply sergeant to four children and an ambitious husband, Kelly Lumber, P.M. Kelly, Portage Timber and four children sharing eight college degrees would have never been possible. Looking back, now that we all have children of our own, the sacrifices made for our welfare is incomprehensible. Growing up, we children have no fonder memory than Christmas Eve. It became more special than even Christmas to all, as we spent the evening eating Mom’s chicken stew accompanied by Rhoda Thombs’ French bread. After raising her family, our Mother became a renaissance woman. Well versed and a voracious reader, Mom was a truly interesting person to converse with on any topic you could imagine. The passion she displayed for all of her hobbies eventually led her from sewing to quilting and finally to her own business. The Fabrique Shoppe, which she ran with the help of her daughter Eileen and friend Judy Sherman became a refuge for sewers, quilters and people needing twelve step programs for fabric related addictions of all sorts. Our Mother was happiest surrounded by all of her quilts, fabric and friends who loved quilting as she did. We have a constant reminder of this because several of her finest quilts adorn the hallways and bedrooms of our homes and her final quilt takes refuge in St. Mark’s Church, where her services will be held on Nov. 24, 2003. After closing the store due to health problems, Mom concentrated her efforts on philanthropic pursuits. While the extent of her generosity through her time, monetary resources and caring may seem unremarkable in comparison to others, we take great pride in knowing that she showed more generosity to and created more joy in the lives of those less fortunate than is possible to fathom. Dina, or DeDe to her family, is survived by her devoted husband, Mike; her children and their families, Sherry (Kelly) Delcourt, husband Scott and grandchildren, Katie and Meg, of Old Town, Eileen Kelly and granddaughter, “Nana’s Little Peeps,” Maura of Old Town, C. Terrance Kelly, wife Cathy and grandson Ryan of Mapleton, Timothy Kelly, wife Linda and step-grandchildren, Allisen, Naiomi and Kaleb of Presque Isle, her father and mother, Maynard and Nora; brothers, Dale, Larry and Michael; and sister Terry; a special goddaughter, Ellen Bemis, her husband Frank and children Grace and Emily. Our Mother will also miss the love and care of our lifelong family friends, Dick and Rhoda Thombs and Giles and Helyette Lachance and the companionship of Sister Mary Kelley and Mary Hews. While no amount of words can assuage the anguish we as a family are feeling, the benevolence of our mother’s friends, relatives and well-wishers is greatly appreciated. The events of our Mother’s life may seem ordinary when considered individually, yet they amass into a remarkable lifetime. We pray that the Lord will give to our mother the same compassion and love that she gave to every life she touched . A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, 2003, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Ashland, with the Rev. Scott Mower officiating. Visiting hours will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. Our mother requested that in lieu of flowers, charitable contributions be made to the Ashland Community Library, Exchange Street, Ashland, ME 04732.