Mary Patricia (Phelan) Kelly (Pat) died peacefully in Mont Belvieu, Texas on February 22, 2025.  She was 102 years old.  Public visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Lunn Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. A rosary will take place in the Chapel of Lunn Funeral Home at 7:00 pm following the public visitation. Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday February 27, 2025 at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lunn Funeral Home of Olney.

Pat was born on June 24, 1922, in Los Angeles, California, the third of five children, to Edward and Helen (Underwood) Phelan.  She grew up on an orange ranch in Whittier, California and often spoke about life on the Ranch and the work it entailed.

Pat loved school.  In an era when most women didn't go to college, Pat was ahead of her time.  After attending UCLA during the war years, and graduating from Whittier College, she earned a master's degree in nutrition from Mills College and subsequently taught Food and Nutrition in San Francisco.

Pat married William Ryan Kelly in 1951.  They moved to Megargel, Texas and eventually built a home in Olney, Texas where they raised eight children.  Pat raised her children with a firm yet loving hand. "It was a busy time," she reflected.

In 1965 Pat began working as a Dietitian at Bethania Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas.  She eventually became a Consultant Dietician serving hospitals and nursing homes in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma.  That work involved a lot of driving, and Pat was a stickler for taking care of her vehicle!  After retiring from that career, she helped her husband Ryan with their H&R Block businesses.

Pat was a devout Catholic, faithfully attended Mass, and was a member of the Altar Society at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Olney, Texas.

During her last years, she became a member of the Olney Hamilton Hospital Auxiliary and served as Treasurer for three years.

Pat left quite a legacy.  Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Ryan, daughter Rebecca Jane, son-in-law Kenneth Sadau, and grandson Zachary Sadau.  She is survived by seven of her eight children, 15 of her 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Patrick Kelly (Linda):

Tony Kelly: Kristen Kelly Waller (Jared), Kyle Kelly, Kara Kelly,

Keith Kelly (Kim): Caleb Kelly

Jacob Kelly (Katie): Vivian Kelly, Finn Kelly, Eliza Kelly

Kevin Kelly (Penny):

Alan Kelly (Melanie): Carson Kelly, Claire Kelly

Jill Kelly

Loretta Kelly Dixon (Nick):

Jennifer Dixon Santana (Antonio): Abigail Santana, Leah Santana, Julia Santana

Katherine Kelly Sadau (Kenneth, deceased):

Meagan Sadau Luley (Brian): Tatum Luley, Hallie Luley, Nate Luley

Zachary Sadau (deceased) (Meg):  Benjamin Sadau, Macyn Sadau

Zeb Sadau: Charlotte Sadau

Therese Kelly Lohman (John):

Gabrielle Lohman: Matthew Cox, Ellie Kopko

Gavin Lohman

Terry Kelly (Susan):

Sean Kelly

Kate Kelly

Maureen Kelly Sittig (Loren):

Ryan Kelly Sittig

Rebecca Kelly Babbitt (deceased) (Darrell):

Dillon Babbitt

Avery Babbitt

Donations in memory of Pat can be made to:

The Olney Hamilton Hospital Auxiliary

c/o Hamilton Hospital

901 W. Hamilton

Olney, Texas 76374

St. Theresa Catholic Church

1101 W. Oak St.

Olney, TX 76374