Lorna Ellen Kelley

Lorna Ellen Kelley, age 90, of Drummond Island, Michigan, died Thursday, March 5, 2015 on Drummond Island. She was born February 5, 1925 on Drummond Island to Thomas Ivan Ellis and Anna (Parrish) Ellis of Whitney Bay. She was the oldest of four children. Lorna lived on Drummond Island except for four years of her life. She married Merlin Thomas Kelley on October 14, 1942 and they started their married life in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. They moved to DeTour, Michigan two years later and Merlin took a job at Drummond Dolomite. Within two years, they moved back to the island. Lorna was the beloved mother of six children. As a young girl she worked in her family business “Old Fort Drummond” and helped out later as she raised her family on Fairbanks Point. Once her children were raised, she worked as a cook at the Drummond School for nearly ten years. When she left the school, she was awarded the “Cookie Award” for making the best chocolate chip cookies. Many students remember her best for her “homemade” sticky buns. Lorna and Merlin retired in 1975. For the next eleven years, they traveled six to eight months each year and spent summers on the Island until Merlin passed away in 1987. Lorna was crowned Queen of Drummond at an ice carnival when she was sixteen years old and was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award by the 55 and Over Club. She was a life time member of the St. Florence Catholic Church where she was an active participant on the Church Council and the Church Guild. She was one of the original women to start the Hunter’s Dinner and often talked about cooking everything from scratch-including the potatoes. Lorna belonged to the Homemakers Club for over 30 years and helped cook for many of their activities. She and Merlin started the Arts and Craft Shows on the Island and Lorna was the show’s chairman for many years. Lorna was a member and treasurer for the 55 and Over Club and a member of the Friends of the Library and the Moose Lodge. She was the “Card Lady” and sent get well, condolence, and thinking-of-you cards to countless people in the community. Most of her life, Lorna was content to be in the background just helping. Lorna is survived by her six children, Thomas Ivan (Jane) Kelly of Drummond, Connie Ann (Al) Schopp of Drummond, Patrick Ellis (Missy) Kelly of Drummond, Lyle Christopher (Theresa) Kelley of Pickford, Ronald Merlin (Kari) Kelley of Sault Ste. Marie, and James Gordon (Sue) Kelley of Drummond Island; grandchildren, Tina, Tom, Edward, David, Kelly, Kristen, Marc, Jennifer, Sean, Monica, Brittney, Amy, Jason, John, Karen, and Dawn; and great grandchildren, Michael, Nicholas, Jake, Cody, Zack, Grace, Olivia, Payton, Jillian, James, Mackenzie, Evan, Caleb, Logan, Bret, Lucas, Danny, Sebastian, Kayla, Ethan, Mateo, Nolan, and Kaleo. She is also survived by her only brother, Carlyle (Doris) Ellis of Drummond Island. Lorna was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin T. Kelley, and sisters, Ladorna “Jean” Staley and Laurel “Aleen” Voss. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 8, from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a Rosary Service at 6:00 P.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 A.M. on Monday, March 9 at St. Florence Catholic Church on Drummond Island with Father Janusz Romanek serving as celebrant. There will be visitation at the church from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Monday. Burial will be in Drummond Island Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Florence Catholic Church, 34138 S. Townline Rd., Drummond Island, MI 49726 or Hospice of the E.U.P., 308 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

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Lorna Ellen Kelley

February 5, 1925 - March 5, 2015