Mardene Francis (Hawley) Kelley

MARDENE FRANCIS (HAWLEY) KELLEY

Vinton

Mardene Francis (Hawley) Kelley, 90, died Aug. 31, 2017, from cancer. Mardene was born in Urbana on Aug. 21, 1927, the daughter of Pansy P. Boyles and C. Everett Hawley. Following her graduation from Urbana High School, she moved to Vinton to work for the telephone company. In 1960, she married John Kelley, with whom she had a wonderful and fulfilling life. John preceded her in death on March 3, 2015, just short of their 55th wedding anniversary.

Mardene was a spirited personality whose motto was "I just want to have fun!" And she had many fun adventures in her long life, especially in her travels across the country and double dates with her friend, Marian, who also worked at the Vinton telephone company, and, after her marriage, with John and their friends. Mardene and John, an accomplished trumpet player, especially enjoyed jazz festivals, from the Quad Cities to New Orleans. Mardene's one regret was that she didn't get a red convertible. But she did see herself in one when her niece, Anne, presented her with a cake for her 90th birthday featuring an image of Mardene speeding along in a shiny red convertible.

A devoted daughter, Mardene retired early from the telephone company in order to care for her parents for many years when their health declined and until their deaths. Mardene also was preceded in death by her brother, Marshall N. Hawley. She is survived by her and John's nieces and nephews.

To honor her request, there will be no funeral services. Mardene will be buried next to her husband, John, at the Urbana Cemetery.