RUMFORD – Anna Ozema Kelley, 74, passed away at her residence on Franklin Street on Oct. 21, 2025. She was born in Rumfordon Sept. 7, 1951, a daughter of Wilfred and Bernice (Gaudet) Kelley.
Anna was educated in Rumford schools and was a graduate of Stephens High School Class of 1969. She attended Thayer Hospital in Waterville, where she became an X-ray technician, and then she attended Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she completed a technician program in Nuclear Medicine as well. She spent her career working in imaging in emergency departments from Maine to California. She mostly worked locally but traveled with her job for many years, which she really enjoyed, especially the time she spent in the greater Boston area. She had other favorite work locations such as Sun Valley and Chicago. She accepted most travel assignments, but declined an offer to Hawaii, because she would have missed Christmas on Pine Street. Anna retired from Rumford Hospital several years ago after being back on the night shift with the original crew.
Anna enjoyed the simple things in life, such as shucking corn on the cob on the porch at camp, playing cards, making puzzles, reading, as well as watching her favorite shows. She also enjoyed the finer things in life, such as going to really amazing concerts, online shopping, and wearing high quality outerwear. She enjoyed skiing in high school, and more recently spending time at the mountain as a fan of both skiing and music, and as a volunteer for the Chisholm Ski Club.
Surviving are her siblings, Kenneth Kelley of Rumford, Cynthia Kelley of Mexico, Jo Ann Frechette and husband Antonio of Clearwater, Fla., and sister-in-law Geraldine Kelley of Middleton, Mass.
Although Anna did not have any children of her own, she had many nieces and nephews she loved very much, including Kerrie Myers and husband Rusty, Kristin Kelley and companion Jay Purcell, Kathleen Kelley, Bryan Kelley, Bruce Kelley, Barry Kelley, Kimberly Jalbert and husband Scott, Melissa Swan and husband Richard, and Erin Haynes and husband Chad. She also had great nieces and nephews including Nicholas Jalbert and companion Jamie Woodbury and her great-great nephew Braden Lawrence Jalbert, Matthew Jalbert and wife Chelsie, Courtney Kelley, Ryan Kelley, Brianna Swan, Savannah Swan, Ali Tilton, Charlie Tilton, Avery Tilton, Nora Haynes, and Isla Haynes. She is also survived by many cousins, including Nicholas and Bertha Kelley of Rumford, and Dianne Ames of Rumford. She also leaves behind several friends and lifelong neighbors.
She was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Bunny, her brothers William, Robert, and Lawrence Kelley, and sister-in-law Marie Viger Kelley.
There will be a burial service at St. John’s Cemetery, Isthmus Road, Rumford, on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., all are welcome to attend. As Anna did not wish to have any formal services, reception, or “funeral food,” we’ll share some of her favorite treats there to more quietly honor her memory, and hope that it will be “A-O-K” with her.
In lieu of flowers, if you so desire to make a charitable contribution as Anna often did, please support a child’s school, athletic, or arts fundraiser, order Girl Scout cookies and Boy Scout popcorn, go to craft and church fairs, give your returnable bottles to a drive, purchase raffle tickets, shop local, stop at farm and lemonade stands, tip extra for good service, bake a batch of muffins or brownies to drop off to someone you love, or pick your favorite charity to donate to as Anna regularly did.
To share memories and condolences with the Kelley family, please visit http://www.ThibaultRemembranceCenter.com.
Her most recent donations went to the following non-profit organizations if you would like to support one of these in her memory:
Kindness Keepers for Hallie
51 Simplicity Way
Poland, ME 04274 or:
Disabled American Veterans
P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, Ohio 45250 or:
Pine Tree Camp
114 Pine Tree Camp Rd.
Rome, ME 04963 or:
Friends of Black
Mountain of Maine
39 Glover Rd.
Rumford, ME 04276 or:
Chisholm Ski Club Youth Development Program
P.O. Box 616
Rumford, ME 04276
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