9 minute read
The Kellys: Family and Faith Over Everything
Resident Feature by Christina Manning
Thanks to Alpha Century Security of Newtown Square for sponsoring our Resident Feature.
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We are pleased to introduce you to The Kelly Family, devoted and wonderful Newtown Square residents since 1991.
John D. Kelly IV was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and attended Tower Hill High School where he was the Captain for the football, wrestling and track teams, breaking both school and county records in field events. He continued his education at Columbia College in New York City, graduating in 1979 with a BA in English.
While attending college, he played football, track and boxing. After college, John attended the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he graduated with Honors and served as the graduation speaker. In 1984, he won the Swain Award for Easing the Drudgery of Fellow Students. He went on to start his residency at the University of Pennsylvania from 1984–1989. In 1990, he went on to Temple University for a Sports Fellowship.
Marie and John Kelly
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Marie Kelly was born in Glenolden and attended Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, where she was a member of the Junior Achievement Club for two years. Being the President of a student-run company and having a very successful year, Marie attended the National JA Convention as a regional representative for the Upper Darby Chapter. She was also a member of the Chess Club, Science, French and Latin Clubs.
Marie was one of four students chosen to participate in a pilot study and attend Widener University for college science credits throughout her senior year. She graduated with honors in 1976 and continued her education at Thomas Jefferson University, graduating in 1979 with a Nursing Degree.
Marie and John met in 1984 while both were working at the University of Pennsylvania. Marie was working in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and John was on his surgical rotation as part of his internship. “It was our shared work ethic and faith that drew us together,” recalled Marie. The couple got married in October 1987, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Roxborough. “Our wedding day was rainy and cold, so that limited outdoor pictures, but it was a beautiful wedding service and fun reception,” recalled Marie.
The couple had an adventurous honeymoon, to say the least. They had planned to go to Yugoslavia to see Medjugorje and Dubrovnik. Unfortunately, their flight from Germany to Yugoslavia was cancelled without warning. They got a standby flight to Zagreb, but ended up getting stranded there with no hotel reservations. “Our luggage got lost, so no change of clothes for eight days!” said John. “We survived with only muddy, wet sneakers and dirty travel clothes,” added Marie. Luckily, the couple can look back and laugh at it now, 33 years later!
They started their married life in the Andorra area of Roxborough. “There was a cute little health food store and deli restaurant that was our favorite date night spot,” said Marie. Because John was a resident and was on call every other night for three years, they enjoyed being home together. “We used to drive to work together at 6am, to maximize seeing each other,” said John.
Mary and Ann Marie Kelly (age 31⁄2)
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelly
In 1992, the couple welcomed twin girls. Ann Marie, outgoing and determined, graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2014. She was All-State Track, competing in the hurdle and relay events. She continued Pre-Med studies at Temple University and University of Penn. She then completed her Masters of Science in Global Health at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in 2018.
Ann Marie is currently in her third year of medical school at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. In her spare time, she enjoys running, biking, surfing and yoga. She traveled to Kenya during her UCSF studies, to do research for her Global Health degree by studying the effects of physician burnout on the quality of care provided, as well as maternal-child outcomes in Migori County, Kenya. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine that involves work in global health.
The Kelly Family (L-R): Marie, Ann Marie, Mary and John, at Machu Picchu in Peru
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelly
Mary, quite the athlete (three school records in track), is artistic and cerebral. She spent one semester abroad studying Mary and Ann Marie in Sevilla, Spain, she became fluent in Spanish. Kelly (age 3½) After college, Mary joined Teach for America and started teaching at a middle school in Houston.
While living in Texas, Mary met her now-fiancé Chris, and decided to move out to Colorado. She is currently the Manager of Enrollment and Community Engagement for a charter school network in the Denver metro area. Depending on the season, Mary and Chris spend their weekends either skiing, camping or taking their dog, Tucker, on long hikes. Their newest hobby includes hiking some of the 14,000-foot mountains in Colorado, for the majestic views and fitness challenge. The couple also enjoys traveling and learning culinary skills of Asian culture. Mary and Chris are planning to get married next fall.
Mary Kelly and her fiancé Chris with their dog Tucker
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelly
Dr. John Kelly is an Orthopedic Surgeon at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Sports/Shoulder Surgery. A severe injury in college brought John to a fine surgeon who demonstrated the importance of compassionate and competent care.
With his hospital patients and also outside of the hospital, John loves making people laugh. “My father was a comedian,” he explained, “and I love making people laugh. Laughter is the best medicine!” John has appeared on Oprah Radio and Dr. Oz, and has also performed at the Keswick Theatre and at a comedy club in Wildwood. John is also a Eucharistic minister at St. Anastasia Church, where he and Marie also teach Pre-Cana classes. John is the President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Lumen Institute. “I love people and I love to teach them,“ he explained. John plans to do more comedy, write and travel more with Marie.
Marie and John Kelly at their home in Newtown Square
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Marie has been a Board-certified RN since 1979, and worked at The Hospital of University of Pennsylvania until 1992, with RN work experience in Orthopedics, General Surgery, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Clinical Research and NIH grants and Managing the Vascular Lab Department, until pregnancy with the twins led to early retirement.
As a homemaker, Marie provides hands-on and prayerful support daily to her husband and daughters. She also acts as a Home Health Care coordinator for family members and friends. “Prayerful daily offerings for them gives me a sense of support from afar, and trusting that God will protect and guide them on their journey,” said Marie. “This especially applies to our daughters.”
Marie is also a facilitator for marriage prep couples for an organization called FOCCUS – Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study. Marie also assists with Pre-Cana prep for couples registered with the Living in Love Program, and since 2013, has been a Co-Leader & Facilitator of a local Women’s Catholic Bible Study – WWP (Walking with Purpose). Marie hopes to bring WWP to their local parish, and the return of in-person meetings, as COVID-19 allows.
Since 2000, John and Marie have conducted Medical Marriage talks together at medical conferences. “This allows Marie and me to speak candidly and informatively with other couples who juggle the rigors of intrusive medical demands on their marriages,” explained John. “It has been a blessing to us as well as those present in our audiences.”
John and Marie Kelly at the Orthopedics Today Hawaii 2017 conference
Photo courtesy of Marie Kelly
John and Marie have lived in Newtown Square since 1991, in the Saw Mill Park area, after wanting to be closer to both sides of the family. Even with their busy schedules, the couple makes time to enjoy Newtown Square’s natural beauty and peaceful environment. “We love walking, biking and exploring the nature trails together,” said John. “It’s also close to everything we need and love,” added Marie. John and Marie feel very connected to the community and their neighbors.
“Family is what is most important,” said Marie. “Sometimes when John had to travel to a conference, we would take the girls out of school, so we could all be together.” “It was a great way to offset the demands of my work and allow for some unique family time,” added John.
The Kelly family lives by two mottos: “Fight for Justice, Love and Pray” and “Faith, Family and Forgiveness.” Together, they cover everything needed in this life.
The Kellys would like to share this message with the community:
Do you know a Newtown Square Broomall family, couple, individual or nonprofit group that readers of our magazine might like to meet in an upcoming issue? Nominate them by email to Christina Manning at CManning@BestVersionMedia.com.
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