Ethel L. (Veno) Kelly

Mrs. Ethel L. (Veno) Kelly, of Watertown, died on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Meadow Green Nursing Home in Waltham. She was 101.

Ethel was born in Portland, Maine on February 17, 1923, a daughter of the late Henry and Marion (Hays) Veno.  When she was four her family moved to Waltham where Ethel graduated from Saint Mary’s High School.

Following her 1948 marriage to Watertown Firefighter Joseph P. Kelly the couple moved to Watertown where they became lifelong residents.  For years she worked as a bookkeeper at ‘Travel by Betty Doherty’ in Watertown.

She and her family were longtime parishioners at Saint Theresa’s Church where she and Joe belonged to the Couples Club and where Ethel was a member of the Ladies Sodality.

Other organizations in town that she remained active in throughout her life were the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 14; the ‘Ding Dongs’, a group of tight knit firefighter wives, her travel group called the ‘Restless Wrestlers’ and the Watertown Women’s Club.

In addition to her husband, Joe, and her parents, she joins in Heaven her son, Richard J. Kelly and her siblings, Robert Veno, Joseph Veno and Marilyn Walsh.

Ethel is survived by her children, retired Watertown Police Officer Robert M. Kelly (Cheryl) of Watertown and Patricia M. Gately (Paul) of Worcester; her grandchildren, Timothy Gately (Erin), Neal Gately (Katelyn), Burlington Police Detective Christopher Kelly, Erika Kelly and Lauren Kelly (Waltham Firefighter Benjamin MacEwen); her great-grandson, Declan Gately and several nieces, nephews and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ethel's life by gathering to visit in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, May 22nd from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Watertown.