Kelly, Kathryn Jane 'Kitty'

Kathryn Jane “Kitty” Kelly, 80, died peacefully in her home Friday, July 15, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 18, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, where visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. until services. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City.

Kitty Kelly was born July 24, 1930, in Atlantic, Iowa, and lived most of her life to the fullest in Iowa City. She graduated from Iowa City High School, studied music in New York City, and received a B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1952. During college she was active in the Scottish Highlanders, at that time the largest bagpipe band in the world, and often spoke of her travels to Belgium and England with them.

She loved her dogs, including Troubles and Freckles, and loved caring for all animals. Kitty was an occupational therapist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and loved helping others. Many knew her locally for her management of family restaurants, including the old “Maid-Rite Corner” on Iowa Avenue. In her later years she worked with the Visiting Nurses Association. Kitty also loved working in her garden and enjoyed being outdoors.

Kitty was known by her family and friends as having a strong faith in the Lord. She was always open and willing to share her faith with everyone and touched many lives.

She was survived by one sister-in-law, Shirley Kelly; one niece, Kris (Dennis) Lock; one nephew, Kevin (Sandy) Kelly; and many great- and great-greatnieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Loretta (Pugh) and Charles Urban “Jake” Kelly; and her brother, Charles U. “Kork” Kelly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to Mercy Hospital Foundation or Iowa City Hospice.

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