Jeanette Marie (Perhay) Kelly was taken to Heaven August 26, 2016. Born in Helena on January 6, 1935 to Louis and Alice (Cvar) Perhay of East Helena, she attended St. Ann’s and East Helena elementary schools before graduating from Helena High School in 1952. From ’52 through 1955 Jeanette was employed as a secretary at the V.A. Hospital at Fort Harrison.
Jeanette was married to Thomas J. Kelly of Butte in 1955 in Germany while Tom was serving in the U.S. Army. They later returned to Helena where Tom taught and coached at Cathedral High School and Carroll College while Jeanette stayed home to take care of her five children.
In 1972, Jeanette went to work for the Helena School District, first as a teacher’s aide working at various schools, and then as a secretary at Capital High School until her retirement in 1990.
In her leisure time, Jeanette loved to spend time with her family- especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren, going to watch them in various sporting events, recitals, concerts and performances. She also enjoyed family get-togethers, holiday gatherings including the big Fourth of July picnic at “the Cabin” and going to lunch with her many friends. She also liked to bake treats for her family, read, work in-and-around her home of 53 years and traveling to places around Montana, Washington and California. She was a member of the Cathedral of St. Helena Parish.
Jeanette is preceded in death by her husband, Tom; parents, Alice and Louis Perhay; sister, Marge Burgess and her grandson, Patrick Kelly. Also preceding her were mother and father-in-law Edith and Tom Kelly (Butte), Brother-in-law, Joe Screnar; sister-in-law Bessie Perhay and numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her sister, Norma Screnar and brother Louis Perhay of East Helena, children Kim (Dean) Egeland of Carlsbad, CA, Kevin (Sarah), Dan (Ronda), Tim (Audrey) and Kris, all of Helena; grandchildren Katie (James) Egeland, Kristen (Steve) D’Ambrozio, Keriann (Chris), Aimee (Ron) Muffick, Jennifer Kelly (Rob), Erin Kelly, Tanner (Laura), Sean (Grace) Kelly, Kaelyn (Ryan) Kelly, Cameron (Rylee), Madison Kelly and Aiden Kelly, and great-grandchildren Megan and Tyler Beigh, Kristen, Allie and Abbie Muffick, Drake Kelly, Ruby, Bella, Grace and Hyde Hollow and Tyler D’Ambrozio.
A Vigil Service will be 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 30th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A Funeral Mass will be 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 31st at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street, with a reception to immediately follow in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral. The Rite of Committal Service will follow the reception at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials can be sent to the Tom & Jeanette Kelly Memorial Scholarship Fund at Carroll College, Legendary Lodge in memory of Patrick Kelly or to donor’s choice. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jeanette.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 30, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 31, 2016
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing St
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Wednesday August 31, 2016
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
Following the reception
Wednesday August 31, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 30, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 31, 2016
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing St
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Wednesday August 31, 2016
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
Following the reception
Wednesday August 31, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Shirley Chesterfield-Stanton says
Such a wonderful woman. She will be missed.
Love to all
Kathleen Hunthausen says
To Jeanette’s family and loved ones,
I am so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful person, and I never saw her without a smile. My heart goes out to you, and I am thinking of you during this time. Blessings.
Deb Thurston says
I have many fond memories of our dear Aunt Jeanette…
Memories of play dates with all my cousins running in and out of their home – feeling loved as it never seemed to annoy or bother this gentle mother of 5. Overnight stays with Kim, were special because Jeanette would allow us to try lipstick, play dress-up, wearing gloves up to our elbows, and straw hats all while swinging some of those big purses around!
Aunt Jeanette never forgot to send a sweet card for my birthday, always adding a line or two of updates on her and family, but most of all sharing her love in kind words and encouragement. What a blessing that has been to me.
Family was always first and most important in her life and it was evident that she loved all of us. If her eyes said anything, it was quiet joy and admiration as she took the time to listen, smile gently and quietly laugh sharing her humble heart. Aunt Jeanette will be truly missed and my heart goes out to our Kelly Cousins, whom I love.
Pat and Jeannie Hurley says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your mom was an incredible woman who touched many lives with her kindness and smile. God Bless.
Janet Neumiller says
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Jeanette’s family. What a wonderful, calm helper she was as she worked with students in the schools. My memories are of her at Lincoln School where she worked in the Library. She was so kind and helpful to all students and staff. What a role model. I will cherish her memories.
Lisa Perpignano says
What a wonderful woman with a wonderful smile. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Sue moore says
So sorry for your loss.
“Mrs. Kelly” was a grand lady and such a patient and caring woman. I have many fond memories of team gatherings at the kelly household and of Jeanette sitting in the stands cheering the saints and Coach kelly on. She was also always ready to give an encouraging word when needed. She will be missed but leaves an awesome crew behind to carry on their legacy…
All my best
Sue Moore 82′
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
To Kelly family,
Having worked at Carroll College I had the privilege of meeting Jeanette. She was a very kind person, always with a smile. Jeanette was a neighbor of ours. She will be greatly missed, but is now reunited with Tom. Our thoughts are with the Kelly family.
God Bless you all,
Matt & Mary Kunnary