Obituary of Elaine Marie Kelley

Elaine Marie Kelley, of Burlington, MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the age of 81. Elaine endured numerous health battles but faced these challenges with grace and faith. The love of her family and her deep Catholic values gave her the strength to overcome what seemed impossible time and time again. 

Elaine was the beloved wife of the late Thomas A. Kelley.  She was the loving mother of Thomas A. Kelley, Jr. & his wife Tracy of Westport, CT, Nicole Kelley Coslov & her husband Nick of New York, New York, and Suzanne Kelley & her husband Anthony Albano of Tewksbury.  She was the sister of Bill Gallagher of Drakes Island, ME and the late Maureen Brown.  She was the proud and loving grandmother of Isabella Kelley, Charlotte Kelley, Lillian Kelley, Thomas “Tripp” Kelley, III, Drew Coslov, Cameron Coslov, and Lydia Albano. 

Raised in Arlington, MA, Elaine was the middle child of Harry and Hellen (Garibotto) Gallagher. She adored her older sister, Maureen, and younger brother, Harry. A graduate of Arlington High School, class of 1961. 

In 1968, she married her devoted husband, Tom, and raised three children in their home on Phyllis Ave. in Burlington, MA. Together, they worked to renovate and transform their house into a loving home for their family. 

A true Renaissance woman, she loved gardening and tending her vegetables, making jams and jellies. She sewed her children's clothes and innovatively decorated her home with style and warmth. She was a talented oil painter and skied every mountain from Massachusetts to Maine, although Sunday River was a family favorite. 

Elaine and Tom purchased a home in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, in 1983. This home has remained the center of family gatherings and celebrations ever since. Elaine longed for time with her family, spending long days on the beach under the warm sun until dinner, when they would share a chaotic but perfect family meal on their front porch. 

Tom and Elaine enjoyed 41 years together before Tom died in 2009. During their life together, they prioritized their marriage and were truly dedicated to one another.

Elaine was blessed with seven grandchildren, who she saw as gifts from God, giving her more people to love and pray for. Elaine will be remembered with great love and fondness as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, daughter, and friend to many. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Monday, November 18 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 19 at 9 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford Street, Burlington at 10 a.m.  There will be a funeral luncheon at the Café Escadrille, 26 Cambridge Street, Burlington from 11:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.  At 3 p.m. there will be a graveside burial service at Brookdale Cemetery, 86 Brookdale Ave, Dedham at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Elaine’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, P.O. Box 1120, Framingham, MA 01701. 

For online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.