1921 – 2004

LEWISTON – Gladys Ellen Joy Kelley, 82, of Lakeshore Drive, Auburn, died, Sunday evening, Jan. 18, at Central Maine Medical Center.

Born in Lewiston, Sept. 19, 1921, the only child of Leroy M. Joy and Edith Whitney Joy, she attended Auburn schools, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1939. She later graduated in 1945, from the CMG School of Nursing.

She married Ernest L. Kelley on July 5, 1947, and Mr. Kelley died in 1998. In her youth she spent many summers in Harpswell, from whence came her life-long love for the ocean and swimming. Although she came from a family of musicians and singers, her natural talent at which she excelled, was dancing from tap to ballroom.

In her profession as a nurse at CMG and then as a private duty nurse she was always sought after by those in need. Her reputation as a caregiver was second to none. She loved animals and all her life she had at least one cat and sometimes many.

She was well-read, had a keen mind which could easily do calculus or conjugate French and Latin verbs, yet she was down-to-earth with a strong streak of independence and fairness. She was a devoted daughter and mother and she will be sorely missed by those who loved her.

She is survived by s son, John L. Kelley of Auburn; and two cousins, Alice Joy and Paula Vasilades