Sr. Margaret Ann Kelley
Sr. Ellen Mary (formerly)
Sister Margaret Ann Kelley (formerly Sister Ellen Mary) loved life, cherished her family, friends and community, and brought boundless energy to more than 60 years of service as an Ursuline sister. The former educator, administrator and pastoral minister died Monday, January 21, in the Ursuline Saint Angela Center after a brief illness. She was 81.
Margaret Ann Kelley was born December 29, 1931, in Cleveland, the only daughter and youngest of four children born to John and Ellen (Hayes) Kelley. Following her graduation from Beaumont School she entered the Ursuline Sisters from St. Cecilia Parish September 8, 1949. She professed final vows August 8, 1955. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the old St. John College.
Sister Margaret Ann began her ministry career as an elementary school teacher at Holy Cross School (Euclid), and followed with tenures at St. Mary (Mentor), St. Jerome (Cleveland), and St. Ann (Cleveland Heights) before returning to Holy Cross. In 1966 she was assigned to St. Philomena School (East Cleveland) as teacher and assistant principal. Within three years she was named principal and was faced with the task of merging the school with neighboring Christ the King. She often cited that experience, difficult as it was, as one of her proudest and best moments as a principal. She and Christ the King principal Sister Caroline Clines designed the merger plan together and involved parents in executing a smooth and successful transition. It was hailed by many as a model process.
Following the St. Philomena experience, Sister Margaret Ann returned to St. Ann School, this time as principal. In 1982 she embarked on what was to be a15-year tenure at Beaumont School where she served first as assistant principal, then principal, and finally as president. As president in the early 90’s with the school facing a looming deficit she helped galvanize support to stabilize finances and enrollment. That corps of dedicated lay partners became a team of lifelong friends. It was also during her tenure that the dream of a track and athletic field became a reality.
Her “major work” behind her, but still not ready to retire, Sister Margaret Ann rounded out her career with part-time pastoral ministry positions at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, and later at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Cleveland, where she served until illness struck in the fall.
If ministry gave meaning to her life, it was relationships that animated her heart. Sister Margaret Ann was most grateful for the treasures she found in her family and friends, and in being an Ursuline sister. She counted herself wealthy beyond measure. She was a faith-filled religious, a dedicated educator and leader, and a loving sister, aunt and friend.
Sister Margaret Ann is survived by a brother, Jack (wife Shirley) in California, sisters-in-law, Ann and Carol, and many nieces and nephews.
Donations in her name may be made to the Ursuline Sisters.
Sister Margaret Ann Kelley ’49 OSU
Sister Margaret Ann Kelley (formerly Sister Ellen Mary) “loved being an Ursuline, loved family, friends and loved the challenge of following Angela in every ministry in which she engaged. …She was dedicated to loving people and standing for justice. During her final illness, one of the ICU nurses said to her ‘They don’t make women like you anymore.’” So writes Sister Beverly Anne LoGrasso about Sister Margaret Ann who died January 21, 2013 at the age of 81.
Born in Cleveland, Margaret Ann Kelley was the fourth child and only daughter of John and Ellen (Hayes) Kelley. She entered the Ursuline order immediatelyafter graduation from Beaumont in 1949, taking her final vows in 1955. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the old St. John College. As an Ursuline, Sister Margaret Ann was an elementary school teacher at Holy Cross School (Euclid), St. Mary(Mentor), St. Jerome (Cleveland) and St. Ann (Cleveland Heights). In 1966 she became a teacher and assistant principal at St. Philomena School (East Cleveland). In three years she becameprincipal and faced an enormous challenge. “It became apparent that the school could no longer survive on its own,” Sister Susan Bremer, OSU said in remarks at Sister Margaret Ann’s funeral. “Margaret Ann worked tirelessly with Sister Caroline Clines – and with parents and teachers to effect a successful merger with nearby Christ the King School, achieving a win-win outcome for all.”
Sister Margaret Ann was re-assigned to St. Ann School as principal, where she remained until 1982 when she was named assistant principal at Beaumont. In her 15-year tenure she went on to serve as principal and then president. As president in the early 90’s, with the school threatened by a calamitous deficit, she galvanized a group of lay supporters to stabilize finances and strengthen enrollment. In recent years she was a part-time pastoral minister at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and later at our Lady of Peace Parish in Cleveland.
“Margaret Ann had a way with people,” Sister Susan said. “She was engaging and lively and fun, quick to lend a hand, a bit of advice, or a listening ear. And ready at a moment’s notice to celebrate! She had a charisma about her that drew you in and held you fast. If the twinkle in her eyes didn’t get you, the dimpled smile did. “Margaret Ann had a faithful heart, a heart for her Ursuline life and vocation, for Angela Merici, and for the God who called her into being. She was a committed community member, actively engaged in the congregation’s life and works. …She was a holy woman
who lived a life of prayer, justice and compassion. … She gave her all in service and affection. Likewise, she relished the abundance that was hers, the people and blessings that enriched her life, animated her heart and inspired her being.”
Sister Margaret Ann died from complications following heart surgery in November. “As we celebrate at the table of the Lord, we offer thanks to a provident God for blessing our lives through this wonderful woman with the incredible heart,” Sister Susan said in the final moments of her funeral reflection. “We, who knew her as sister, aunt, colleague and friend, rejoice in her legacy of love and goodness and in the never-fading heart-print that is and will ever be her enduring gift to us.”