Charlotte Fletcher Kelly, 82, former Darien woman volunteered for animal groups

Tuesday, 27 October 2009 10:30

Charlotte Fletcher Kelly, formerly of Darien and Key Largo, Fla., an active volunteer and artist, died Monday, Oct. 19, at Norwalk Hospital. Mrs. Kelly, 82, was the wife of the late William Gaines Kelly.

Born in Providence, R.I., in 1926, to Allison Read Fletcher and Ethel Benson Fletcher, Mrs. Kelly graduated from Lasell College in Newton, Mass. She worked as a fashion model prior to her marriage.

A passionate animal lover, Mrs. Kelly volunteered for many animal rescue organizations including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, North Shore Animal League, Ocean Reef Cat Association and the South Florida SPCA.

She was also a volunteer at Stamford Hospital, the American Cancer Society, for which she and her husband served as Flower Ball chairmen, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Darien.

Mrs. Kelly was also honored for her many artistic endeavors and was a former board member of the Silvermine Art Guild in Norwalk and the Ocean Reef Art Guild in Key Largo. Mrs. Kelly loved music and dancing and was a member of Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, Shore and Country Club in East Norwalk, and the Ocean Reef Yacht Club in Key Largo. She was also an avid bowler.

Mrs. Kelly is survived by her son, William Kelly of New Canaan and daughter-in-law Lori; daughter, Kimberly Kelly Hathaway and son-in-law Eric of Canton; and daughter Sloan Kelly of Derry, N.H. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Hayley and McCrae Hathaway, Caroline and Meredith Kelly, and Gregory William Mazza (Sloan’s son). Her cat, Fella, now lives with the Hathaways in Canton.

She was predeceased by her children, Christopher and Alison.

A memorial service will be held at Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien on Friday, Nov. 27, at 1.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Shore Animal League of America, 25 Davis St., Port Washington, NY 11050; or to the Upper Keys Humane Society, MM101 5 Oceanside, Key Largo, FL 33037.