Mrs. Frances Kelly

March 24, 1927 - September 14, 2018

Frances M. Kelly Nee Burianek, 91, Retired CPD crossing guard for 47 years. Beloved wife of the late Edward R. Kelly. Loving mother of Steven (Terri), Edward (Laura), the late Patrick (Kimellen), Michael (Cathy), Gerlyn (Jim) Delaney, and Tim (Carrie). Cherished grandmother of Brian, Eric, Shannon, Eddie, Jack, Anne Marie, Sean, Meaghan, Michael, Heather, Kate, and Emily. Cherished step grandmother of John, Sharon, and Vicki. Loving great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend of many. Visitation Tuesday 9am at St. Cornelius Church, 5430 W. foster Ave Chicago, Il. until time of mass 11am. Interment Private. In Lieu of flowers donations to Norwood Crossing Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Please visit Frances's tribute at Carbonarafuneralhome.net 708-343-6161 Frances Kelly, aka Fran, Grandma, Grandma CooCoo, and Tootie, died peacefully in her sleep in the arms of one of her children and accompanied by another on September 14 at 4:10 am, following an evening befit for a queen with her entire family at her bedside. She, along with her husband, Ed Kelly, of 40 years, raised a family of six children in an environment that stressed three critical values that they held dear as parents: a strong faith in God and being kind to everyone you meet; a focus on discipline accompanied by unending amounts of love and support; and, an emphasis on building a bond of love among their children that will never fail. Fran met each of life’s challenges with incredible strength and fortitude, founded strongly on faith, and never lost her ability to laugh in the face of such challenges. She was a role model to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, never hesitating to babysit them when the opportunity or need arose, and always giving them her full attention, love, and laughter. She made everyone, whether a family member or a stranger on the street, feel important. She remembered the smallest of details about people she met, always turning the conversation from how she was doing to how they were doing with their particular problems or challenges. She was known to say more Novenas, to pray more prayers, and seek God’s intervention on behalf of others in need than probably any person that has ever graced this fine earth. Her favorite saints were St. Theresa (“The Little Flower”) and St. Gerard (Patron Saint of Mothers), the latter of which she called upon frequently whenever she heard of a couple wanting to get pregnant. It was commonly believed she had the ear of God and would seek out his assistance not for her needs but for the needs of others. Her Mission in life, aside from being the best mother, grand/ great-grand mother, and mother-in-law to her family, was in praying for the children of the world. She touched thousands of children’s lives in her 45 years as a Crossing Guard, and performed her duties in that role beyond comparison. She had energy like none other, often kissing her grand children good night only to then head off to the local VFW Hall to dance with her husband or be with her many friends. She was a champion at Rummikub, and dare you slow the game by to much talking for fear of receiving her mischievously fun scolding. Beginning in her 50s, she became a valiant member of the Blue Army, where she prayed more Rosaries than the Pope himself; at 70, she bought her dream car, a little red Beetle and became the driver of choice for her many friends; at 80, she learned how to use an iPad to stay in touch with her family and friends; and, at 90, she excelled at wheelchair bowling, playing Pokeno, and enjoying horse racing with her friends at the Norwood Crossing retirement home. Her fear in life was to ever be a burden on anyone, most of all her family, and would meet anyone doing a nice deed for her in her frail state with a big smile and heartfelt “thank you.” Walt Whitman once said: "Success is to laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent peers, and to leave the world a little bit better off because you were here." She was, quite frankly, a success by that and any greater measure. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends, but her smile, warmth, and simple “God Bless”, will eternally guide us all on the right path in her physical absence.