Doris A. Kelly

Doris A. (Waddington) Kelly, longtime Melrose resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 14, 2025 at Care One of Wilmington.

Doris was born on October 16, 1932, the only child of Myrtle Evans and William Waddington. She was raised in Dorchester, MA and graduated from the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in 1950.

Doris then went to work for the Boston Gas Company until her marriage to John J. Kelly on April 12, 1953. She lived in Boston while her husband served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and while he attended Northeastern University. These were lean years and Doris excelled at finding new ways to serve Spam for dinner.

Doris and John moved to Melrose in October of 1962 and made a home for her elderly grandmother, father, and, eventually, six children. Doris' mother and aunt lived nearby and were active members of the family.

For Doris, family was the most important part of her life. She grew up as an only child and decided early on that she would have a large family. She filled her home with children and pets. Over the years, Doris patiently endured an ever-changing menagerie of her children's pets, including dogs, cats, fish, gerbils, white rats, mice, baby alligators, and a snake. Becoming a grandmother and great grandmother was another very cherished experience for Doris.

Doris, John and the whole family enjoyed many summers on Cape Cod, where they invested in rental cottages and several businesses over the years.

Doris was anxious to return to paid work as her children grew up so she enrolled in night courses at Northeastern University. She then worked as a secretary at Nixdorf Corporation for several years and later as a medical coder.

She was an active and valued member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Saugus, MA for more than 50 years and served as the director of the Altar Guild for much of that time. Her church family was incredibly important in her life.

Doris enjoyed water aerobics, Tai Chi classes and visiting the Melrose Senior Center. Doris excelled at handicrafts and Swedish Weaving and produced exquisitely knitted sweaters, hats, and mittens for her numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved traveling and enjoyed many vacations to the Bahamas and cruises with friends. She was happiest spending time with her large family and many good friends. During last part of her life she lived at the Jonathan Cochrane House in Melrose (she would never live anywhere but Melrose!) where she made many wonderful friends who were kind and steadfast to the end and her family sends much appreciation to all of them.

Doris was the beloved wife of the late John J. Kelly with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Jeannie Smith and her late husband Jerry of Melrose, Judith Kelly and her husband David Bowditch of Bedford, James Kelly and his wife Barbara of Georgia, Joyce Costello and her partner John Feehly of Billerica, Jennifer Kelly of Gloucester, and the late John J. Kelly, Jr. and his surviving wife Teresa Kelly of Danvers. Also survived by 7 grandchildren (J.J., Stephanie, Jessica, Laura, Rachel, Jenna and Rebecca) and 4 great grandchildren (Nolan, Conor, Asher and Evelyn) and numerous extended family and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor of Doris's life during Visiting Hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose, on Thursday, June 19 from 4-7pm, and on Friday at St. John's Episcopal Church, 8 Prospect St., Saugus, for her Funeral Service at 10am. Internment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.

Gifts in memory of Doris may be made to St. Johns Episcopal Church, 8 Prospect St., Saugus, MA. 01906 or the COPD Foundation, PO Box 160112, Miami, FL. 33116-0112.