Joan Kelly Obituary

Joan Marie KellyJoan Marie Kelly, age 73, died at her home in Westport, CT, on Friday, May 5, 2023. Born in Taunton, MA, on June 8, 1949, Joan was one of two daughters of Massachusetts State Police Adjutant Major John J. Kelly, and his wife, Agnes, both deceased. Joan graduated from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT (now the University of Saint Joseph) and received a master's degree in Theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D. C. , and a doctorate from the Graduate Theological Foundation at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. A lifelong Catholic, Joan was devoted to her faith and shared her extraordinary gifts as a scholar, teacher, and lecturer with all age groups. For several years she served as the Director of Religious Education at Saint Pius X Parish in Fairfield, CT. As the Director of Catechesis for the Diocese of Bridgeport, she oversaw the religious education programs of young people and converts to the Catholic faith in 88 parishes across Fairfield County. Countless priests and deacons are indebted to Joan for her classes in the diocese's deacon formation program, as well as the theological formation program for seminarians at the former St. John Fisher Seminary in Stamford, CT. In recognition of her commitment to the teaching mission of the Catholic Church, Joan received the Papal Cross (Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice) from Pope Saint John Paul II, the Holy See's highest honor for the laity. In recent years, Joan was a professor in the Catholic Studies Department at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, where she taught Biblical Studies (Introduction to the New Testament) and Great Books of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. She consistently earned high marks from her students for her enthusiasm, kindness, and commitment to their learning and success. Joan is survived by her sister, Mary A. Vasile, and her husband, James, of Alexandria, VA and many loving cousins. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday May16, 2023, at St. Theresa Church 5301 Main Street Trumbull, CT, at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Shrine, 100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110. Stanthonyshrine. org.