Lois (Ireland) Kelly

Lois Ireland Kelly peacefully passed away on February 12,2024 at the age of 96. Lois was born in Wall, PA.  She was the daughter of the late John Lewis Ireland and Julia Murray Ireland and beloved wife of the late Robert (Kel) John Kelly. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Lewis Ireland Jr. Lois is survived by her daughter Sheila Kelly and her husband Thomas Basch, numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.  Lois loved her family and friends and loved hosting many gatherings at her house over the years with them.   

Lois graduated from Westinghouse Memorial High School in Wilmerding in 1945 and then attended and graduated from The Comptometer School of Pittsburgh.  Lois worked for A&P as a comptometer operator before joining the United States Navy.   

In 1948 The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act granted women the right to serve as permanent, regular members of the Armed Services.  Lois was selected for the First Recruit Training School for Women of the United States Navy and enlisted in October of 1948. Lois was proud to be part of the USN and was stationed in New Orleans Louisiana where she worked in the Federal Building.  

After discharge from the Navy Lois returned to Wall, PA and began her 37-year career with the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) working as a Clerk PRR later became Penn Central and lastly Conrail before her retirement in 1990.

In 1956 Lois married Robert (Kel) John Kelly and they lived in Wilmerding, and Trafford.  They spent 51 wonderful years together until Kel’s death in 2007.  Lois moved to Oakdale, PA in 2017 to be closer to her daughter and most recently was living at The Sheridan of Bethel Park, Pittsburgh PA.

Lois and Kel loved to travel and after retirement they were able to see much of the United States.  Lois was a talented seamstress, also knitted and crocheted many beautiful things. Lois belonged to many organizations and always said “have as many groups of friends as you have fingers on your hand”. Lois loved her friends and enjoyed spending time with each of them.  Lois loved planning their class reunions with her friends also the “girls from school” got together every month for lunch for quite a few years once they retired.  Lois belonged to The East Suburban Friendship Club, Womens Overseas Service League (WOSL), Military Women Across the Nation (MWAN), Charter Member of Women in Military Service for America (WIMSA), National Association of Railway Business Women (NARBW)-Pittsburgh Chapter 

Lois was lovingly cared for by the most amazing people at The Sheridan at Bethel Park since June 2022.  The entire staff at The Sheridan was always wonderfully warm and kind to Lois.  The Staff at the Sheridan at Bethel Park enhanced Lois’s quality of life with the activities and experiences she had there.  There are not enough words of thanks to express the love Lois’s family has for each and every person at The Sheridan at Bethel Park.

The Family also wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Vitas Hospice, they treated Lois and us as treasured family.  All team members are wonderful caring people. 

Family and friends are welcome on Thursday February 15, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm at ALFIERI FUNERAL HOME, INC., 201 Marguerite Ave, Wilmerding, Pa 15148, 412-824-4332. A. Blessing Service will be held on Friday, February 16 at 11am in the funeral home. Lois will be laid to rest with Military Honors at New St. Joseph Cemetery, North Versailles. Please visit us at www.alfierifuneralhome.com for online condolences. 
 

In Lieu of flowers, donations in Lois's memory can be made to:

St Labre Indian School
PO Box 216
Ashland MT 59003-9989
1-866-753-5496
www.stlabre.org

St Joseph Indian School
PO Box 100
Chamberlain SD. 57325-0100
1-800-584-9200
www.stjo.org

Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc.
200 North Glebe Rd. Suite 400
Arlington VA 22203
1-800-222-2294
www.womensmemorial.org

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