Gertrude T. Kelly

Portsmouth, RI - Gertrude T. Murphy Kelly, 87, of 41 Sakonnet Drive, Portsmouth, formerly of Paradise Avenue, Middletown, RI, died Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at home.She was the wife of the late Walter James Kelly. Born in Cranston, RI on February 15, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Timothy and Gertrude Notini Murphy. As a young woman Mrs. Kelly had an egg route selling Fresh eggs to Newport residents from her familys farm. She worked for New England Telephone Company on Bull Street, as a telephone operator for over 30 years, retiring in 1979. Mrs. Kelly also owned and operated Whitehouse Homes of Middletown, a local construction company from 1970 to 1985. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Newport Court 110 and also bowled on their local teams. She was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers, the NARFE Auxilary of Newport County and the former De La Salle Academy Mothers Club. Mrs. Kelly was a communicant of St. Barnabas Church. She enjoyed going to ballroom dancing with ther husband. She is survived by four sons Richard M. Kelly of Newport, RI, Walter J. Kelly Jr. of Glastonbury, CT, Michael J. Kelly of Portsmouth, RI, and William A. Kelly of Springfield, MA, her daughter Nancy Ellen White of Tiverton, RI, her sister Patricia Murphy of Portsmouth, RI, fourteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.She was the sister of the late Edward Murphy, Timothy Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Thomas Murphy, Eileen Williams and Marilyn Rathbun. Her funeral will be held on Monday, May 17, 2004, at 9:00 AM from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, RI Division, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903-4253.