Ada Kelley

Ada Dufresne Kelley, 89, passed away peacefully on November 9 at The Bee Hive Homes in Missoula. A lifelong Missoula resident, Mom was born on June 28, 1929 to Armand and Louise (Cadieux) Dufresne. Growing up in Milltown, she went to Bonner Grade School and Missoula County High School for three years. Mom had many fond memories of Milltown. As the youngest of four children she loved tagging along with her brothers Louis and Leo and sister Dora. She often talked about her ride to school which was on the handlebars of Leo’s bike! Due to her father’s job transfer, she graduated from high school in Laurel, MT. She often described her unexpected senior year in Laurel as her best year in high school. One of the highlights was the softball team she played on...think “A League of Their Own”!

After high school she worked as a bookkeeper for Golden Glo Creamery, Garden City Dairies and Meadow Land Dairy all in Missoula.

Ada met and married Owen Kelley Jr in 1949. They were married for nearly 60 years until Dad’s death in 2009. Mom dedicated her life to homemaking and raising her four children. She particularly excelled at baking, crocheting, sewing, gardening and keeping an “eagle eye” on us. She occasionally helped out at Ogg's Shoe Store, a business of which our Dad was co-owner. Mom’s deep faith was an important part of her life. She was a member of St Anne’s Society and The Alter Society, and also volunteered at The Guild at St Patrick’s Hospital and The Bargain Corner. She found enjoyment in outdoor activities, becoming a fixture on the Rattlesnake hiking trails and walking in her Lincolnwood neighborhood. When the weather was inclement she would even resort to walking in her basement. Walking with Mom became a favorite pastime for all of us until just this Fall. To celebrate her 80th birthday we joined her in walking the 10K Riverbank Run trying to keep up with her as she placed first in her age group! Mom was delighted to become a grandmother. Time spent with Gram created a special bond with each of her grandchildren and led us to an even greater appreciation of our mom.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and husband. She is survived by her loving children, Diane Iverson (Paul), Shirley Schneiter (Daniel), Mary Jo Becker (Dave), and Owen Kelley III (Linda). She is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Brendan (Greta), Ryan (Helen), and Tim (Mina) McAlary; Kelly Schneiter (Tondy) and Lindsey Kennedy (David); Kimberly, Van and Jake Becker; Carly Kelley McDonnell (Greg) and Leah Philbert (Nate); as well as eight great-grandsons whom she dearly loved seeing and hearing about.

She is also survived by her exceptionally caring sister-in-law, Theola Dufresne, and numerous thoughtful nieces and nephews.

A special thank-you to the staff at The Bee Hive Homes, Harvest Home Care, and Partners in Home Care Hospice.

A Rosary Vigil will be held on Sunday, November 18 at 3pm at Garden City Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Monday, November 19 at 10:30am with a reception to follow.