Mrs. Patricia J. Kelly (nee Henkel), 79, beloved wife of Hon. Robert F. Kelly of Villanova, passed away on February 17, 2018 after a long illness.

Mrs. Kelly was born Feb. 22, 1938 in Philadelphia, the youngest daughter of William  and Catharine Henkel (nee White). She graduated first in her class from West Catholic High School and won a scholarship to attend Immaculata College, where she earned her BA in English. In 1963, she married Robert Kelly and they raised four children together. While taking care of her children, Mrs. Kelly earned her Master's degree in English from Villanova University. Later, at the age of 49, she decided to go to law school. After obtaining her degree from Villanova Law School, she embarked on a new career as an attorney where she specialized in estate and tax law. This was the ideal job for Pat because her sharp mind loved solving legal problems and her sociable nature loved working with people. Pat had many interests in addition to her profession: she loved reading and writing (especially detective stories), traveling (especially in Europe), and researching family history. She was an intrepid do-it-yourself home improvement specialist. She taught herself how to troubleshoot the computer (despite not being a "math person"!). But more than anything, she was devoted to her family. She particularly loved creating memorable experiences for her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kelly is survived by her children, Elizabeth Kelly-Penot of Wayne, Robert Kelly, Jr. (Angela), of Glen Mills, Johanna Kelly-Schwalm of Chesterbrook and Owen Kelly (Kimberly) of Wayne; four grandchildren: Ryan Schwalm, Beatrice Penot, Brendan Kelly and Jackson Kelly; two sisters, Mrs. Catherine Skibbe of Miramar Beach, FL and Mrs. Regina Green of Perkasie; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Agnes Lewis.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday February 23, 10 AM at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the Villanova University Campus, Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA. Relatives and friends may call at the Church after 9 AM. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.