Barbara Ann Kelley, a longtime resident of Southport on the Mill River, passed away on Jan. 27, as a result of complications from Alzheimer’s. She was a regal 95.
Barbara Kelley, 95, a former Darien resident, passed away on Jan. 27. A memorial service is planned for the fall.
Barbara was born on Dec. 19, 1925 to Cal and Bessie Baze in Grosse Point, Michigan, where she also grew up.
After graduating from Cornell University, Barbara moved to New York City, married, and moved to Brazil, where her son, Louis Kelley, and her daughter, Susan Kelley, were born. Thereafter, she lived in Darien, Australia, New Zealand and London before she returned to Connecticut for good.
Barbara had several careers in diverse industries, from fashion to health care, but locals will most remember her antiques store, Things on Main Street, in Westport for 15-plus years.
A member of the Westport Unitarian Church for over 50 years, her friends remember Barbara’s dinner parties, social activism, gardening and stone sculptures.
Barbara is survived by her son Louis (Katherine) Kelley of East Haven; and daughter, Susan Springer (Gary Orelup) of Katonah, New York; as well as her grandchildren: Noah Kelley of Maryland, and Aaron Kelley (Alissa Kelley); and her great-grandchild, Winston Kelley, of Center Valley, Pennsylvania.
Donations can be made to the elder day care center that Barbara founded: Elderhouse, 7 Lewis St., Norwalk CT 06851; or to: Memorial Tree Fund, C/O Louis Kelley, 29 Massachusetts Ave., East Haven, CT 06512.
A Memorial Service will be held for Barbara in the Fall.
— This obituary was published in the Fairfield Citizen-News. Colonial Funerals of Hamden is in charge of arrangements.