Rosalie Kelly

KELLY

Rosalie T. Kelly was born on June 30, 1937 in Everett, PA where she lived for a few years with her parents and siblings. Her mother Lydia B. Squillace D’Ambro, born in 1908 in Philadelphia, was a wonderful homemaker, an Italian gourmet cook and an artist. Rosalie’s father, Joseph D’Ambro, was born in 1896 in Acireale, Sicily. He came to Philadelphia in 1907 and worked in management in the apparel and tailoring industry for 45 years.

In 1941, the family moved back to the Philadelphia suburbs, settling in Lansdowne where they resided for 30 years. Rosalie attended St. Phelomena’s Elementary School, then Landsdowne Alden High School where she was superior student and participated in tennis and cheerleading.

When she graduated high school in 1955, Rosalie was hired at WIP Radio in Philadelphia to be the secretary to the President. She also later worked at General Electric.

In 1957, at 20 years old, Rosalie met John “Jack” Kelly, 21, an Irish-German chap from Roxborough, PA. The two were set up by a mutual friend just as Jack returned from the Korean War. On their first (blind) date they went babysitting with another couple. The rest is history.

Rosalie and Jack were married at St. Phelomena’s on May 2, 1959 and resided in Philadelphia, where they welcomed their first daughter, Kimberly Anne, in Aug 1960. They moved to  Eatontown/Long Branch, NJ where their first son, Sean Xavier, was born in February 1963. Jack’s career in sales and marketing took them to Atlanta, GA and then to Dallas, TX, where a second son, Joseph Brendan, was born in March 1966.

After discovering Kimberly’s Luekemia diagnosis, they moved back to Philadelphia to be closer to family. Kimberly was called back to our Lord in March 1968, just a few weeks following the birth of daughter, Kristina Anne. The family eventually moved to West Chester, PA where they would live and flourish in SS. Simon & Jude parish for several decades. There they welcomed Brendan in September 1969 and Shannon Kimberly in November 1971.

As a young mom, Rosalie put her heart and soul into raising her very active, sports loving family, toting kids around in her “JOCKAR”, attending every game, cheering everyone on with her iconic cowbell, and catering many CYO sports banquets as well. She was an avid reader and seamstress who made clothing and holiday costumes for her children. Tennis and gardening were among her many hobbies.

Rosalie was a big sports fan as well. If she wasn’t cheering on her own kids and their friends, she was cheering on our Philly sports teams or watching college basketball with Jack. She loved March Madness and throwing Super Bowl parties no matter who was playing.

Rosalie enjoyed traveling with family and friends. Her favorite trips were to Italy and Bermuda; and of course her beloved Ocean City, NJ for summer vacations. But her absolutely most favorite thing to do was to feed…everyone. Rosalie truly loved cooking for friends and family–even starting her own catering business out of her home (“Rosalie’s Gourmet”) which she continued until she was into her 80s. A gifted baker, no family party was complete without a beautiful, delicious homemade cake that she made for you–always from scratch.

Jack and Rosalie eventually moved from West Chester to Malvern in 1987, where they resided for almost 20 years and became grandparents. They eventually settled in Ovations, a 55+ Community in West Grove, PA, where they enjoyed over 15 years of fun and friendship with many wonderful friends.

Rosalie became “MomMom” to 15 grandchildren & 2 great grandchildren over the years, and they were her absolute pride and joy. She was a very active grandmother, still toting kids around–now in her “IRONRO” mobile–attending virtually every single family sporting event and school activity. She was always there at every party, every birthday, every holiday, every milestone, every graduation, every bridal shower, every baby shower, and every christening with a full spread of amazing Italian food and desserts, with thoughtful and generous gifts, with balloons, and with a full, happy heart. Some of her favorite family traditions celebrated in her home included Italian Easter bread making, hosting Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Cookie Day, and, of course, Kelly Christmas. She made it all happen like it was magic; but really, she was the magic.

Rosalie lived life to the fullest. She fed the masses. She danced at every party (often on the table-tops). She loved food. She enjoyed her Italian red wine. She listened. She loved her family and friends. She was selfless. She was caring. She made you feel welcomed. She made you feel loved. She was strong. She was resilient. She was IronRo.

On January 15, 2022, Jack was called home to our Lord. On December 23, 2022, Rosalie joined her husband of 63 years in heaven alongside their angel daughter, Kimberly.

Rosalie was also preceded in death by her mother Lydia, her father Joseph, her brother Edward D’Ambro and his wife Evelyn D’Ambro, her brother Gino D’Ambro, her brother-in-law James D’Archangelo, her daughter-in-law Krista Kelly and brother-in-law, Edward Moffitt. Rosalie is survived by her sisters, Tia Moffitt and Lydia D’Ambro, brother Dominic D’Ambro and wife Gail D’Ambro, sister-in-law Joanne D’Ambro, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rosalie and Jack’s legacy will continue through their children: Sean & Dawn Kelly, Joseph & Kelly Kelly, Kristina & David Harlan II, Brendan & the late Krista Kelly, Shannon & Matthew Wood; as well as their 15 amazing grandchildren, self-proclaimed as:

“The Top 6”

Alyssa Kelly

Kelly Rose McGuire (husband Sean)

Megan Hart (wife Charity Hart)

David Harlan III

Ryan Kelly

Matthew Harlan

“The Core 4”

Kelsey Ackerman

Gabrielle Kelly

Kimberly Harlan

Emma Kelly

“The Fab 5”

Skylar Wood

Keira Wood

John Kelly

Xavier Wood

Brendan Kelly

As well as her two great-granddaughters, the “Dynamic Duo”: Harlyn McGuire & Olivia McGuire, and many, many more to come.

Please join us for funeral services on Friday, January 6th 10:00AM – 11:45 AM followed by her Funeral Mass 12:00 Noon AM ALL IN CHURCH at St. Norbert’s Church 50 Leopard Rd., Paoli, PA 19301. Interment Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital:

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
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