Obituaries

MADISON - Susan Julia Kelly (née Kiniery), age 80, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Susan was born in Milwaukee, WI on November 22, 1942, to Doris Kiniery (née Bliss) and Howard Kiniery. Susan was a graduate of Edgerton High School and went on to pursue a degree at Madison Business College. Upon graduation, she worked at First Wisconsin Bank in Madison.

Shortly after settling into working life in Madison, Susan joined the Dominic Club, a Catholic singles organization. It was there that Susan would meet her lifelong partner, Daniel Kelly. Susan and Dan were married on September 25th, 1971. The couple moved to the west side of Madison where they raised their family and continued to reside until this past summer.

Susan took pride in staying home to raise her two children, Colleen and Bill. She was always prepared to help with homework or a project and, while proofreading their writing assignments, would frequently mention that she wished she had gone to school to become an English teacher. While her children were young, Susan got involved in the local 4-H chapter and took on a volunteer role as a cooking leader. She also spent her free time doing embroidery, reading, solving word puzzles, and having coffee with friends. Although not an avid traveler, Susan enjoyed trips to Washington, DC and Philadelphia to visit Colleen and her family, as well as New Mexico to visit Bill during his summer at Philmont Scout Ranch.

Throughout adulthood Susan remained very close with her parents. She enjoyed their weekly visits to Madison, shopping weekends with her mom, and including them in her children’s milestone events. One of Susan’s favorite times together with her parents and children was Christmas. She would spend hours meticulously wrapping presents, just like her mom. She passed this same affection for the holidays to her own children.

Susan’s blessed life also had its challenges, both mental and physical. She was fortunate to be surrounded by love and especially her devoted husband, Dan, who selflessly cared for her until her final days. Perhaps the greatest gift Susan gave to all of us was to show us the grace of caregiving and the power of resilience.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Howard, her brother John, who died shortly after birth, and numerous aunts and uncles. She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Dan, her children Colleen (Tim) Howard of Philadelphia and Bill (Diane) Kelly of Madison, as well as three beloved granddaughters, Kayleigh, Ainsley, and Rylee Howard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 16, 2023 at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave, Madison. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass on Monday at the church. Burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Agrace Hospice and Four Winds Manor for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations in Susan’s memory can be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at www.nami.org

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Service

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625