Marie Patrick Kelly left this world far too soon on March 22, 2018 to join her much-missed husband, Bob. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to so many, Marie shared her radiant joy with all she knew and met along the way.

The fifth of seven children, Marie (or “Sis” to her friends and family) was born to Army Colonel Francis H. Patrick and Marie D. Ponzuric in Ft. Meyer, Virginia on Christmas Day 1948. As an Army brat, she traveled extensively with her family until settling in Alexandria, Virginia. It was there, in the halls of Alexandria’s George Washington High School, she met and fell in love with Bob Kelly – the athletic and charming son of a decorated Navy Captain. Sis and Bob married on January 27, 1968 and over the next 10 years welcomed their three children – Rob, Kathleen and Pat – into the world.

Marie’s early career days were spent with the Democratic National Committee. She became involved in convention and event planning and management in 1972 when she served as Assistant to the Comptroller of the DNC. During the 1972 Convention, she was responsible for the coordination of housing and travel arrangements for the committee and convention staff, members of Congress and the state delegations of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. She was a full time employee of the Democratic National Committee from 1972 – 1977 and from 1982 – 1984 and was involved in every Democratic mid-term and national convention during those years with the exception of the 1978 Memphis Convention.

In 1979, the Kelly family sought a change from Beltway life, packed their bags and headed west to “Kellyfornia”. It was there that Marie complete her undergraduate degree at the University of San Francisco; and it was there that she forged many lifelong friendships. But the ties of family and friends in Alexandria pulled them back East just a few short years later, where Sis and Bob stayed until 2008. It was in 2008 that Sis and Bob made their final move to Norfolk, VA to be near children and grandchildren.

While some would mark earning an MBA, serving as the DNC Deputy Director of Events, owning an events and logistics planning agency, or even serving as CFO to a large mortgage company as landmark accomplishments in life, Marie truly saw her greatest accomplishment(s) in her family that she raised, nurtured and loved. Wife to Bob, Mom to her three children and their spouses, and Nana to her nine grandchildren were truly Marie’s greatest accomplishments. Instilling in each of them the importance of love, loyalty and laughter – Nana’s legacy is sure to live on in her children Rob & Lisa Kelly (Dublin, Ohio), Kathleen & Kevin Sharp (Virginia Beach, VA), and Pat & Shannon Kelly (Norfolk, VA) and her nine grandchildren: Colin Patrick Sharp (17), Emma Grace Kelly (13), Nolan Curtis Sharp (13), Sarah Jane Kelly (11), Kelly Frances Sharp (9), Curtis Robert Kelly (7), Henry Francis Kelly (6), John Curtis Kelly (6), and Joseph Fraser Kelly (3). Marie is also survived by her sister Marsha (Falls Church, VA), and five brothers, Pat (Washington, D.C.), Fred (Williamsburg, VA), Bruce, (Sonora, CA), Bryan (Annandale, VA), Fulton (Charlottesville, VA).

Per her wishes, no public memorial service is planned and her family will hold a private funeral mass in her honor. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the loving and tender care given to Nana and her entire family during her time in Hospice Care at Beth Sholom Village in Virginia Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to either the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, Beth Sholom Village (Virginia Beach) or Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (Norfolk) in her name.