With very heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kathleen Mae Bennett Kelly, 87, of Southbury, CT.  She passed away surrounded by a full room of family including her 4 children, their spouses, and many grandchildren on September 13, 2025, at Waterbury Hospital.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William "Bill" Kelly just six weeks before her.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister Marjory (Joseph) Kalita.

Kathy was born in 1938 in Waterbury and was the first child of Arza and Lillian Bennett.  She grew up in Southbury where she lived most of her life. She was in the first graduating class of Southbury High School and attended elementary school at Bullet Hill School. Her family home was originally at the site where The Southbury Plaza is now.  The tall pine tree from the yard still remains at the entrance to the Plaza. Her father, Arza operated the garage that was across the street and is now the Shell gas station.  Arza was also the first Fire Chief of the Southbury Volunteer Fire Department.

She graduated from Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing in 1959 as an RN. She worked many years at the Southbury Training School, the Lutheran Home, Middlebury Convalescent Home, and Fairfield Hills.  Her exceptional career spanned more than 40 years.

Kathy is survived by her brother Arza "Bud" (June) Bennett, Jr. of Southbury along with her children Karen (Matthew) Adams of Bristol, CT, Mark (Roxanne) Kelly of Mesa, AZ, Joseph (Yvonne) of Bethlehem, CT, and David (Jennifer) of Mesa, AZ, and 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 3 nieces.

Kathy was deeply loved and extremely close to her family who will always remember and miss her kindness, her wit, her unconditional love, and her friendship.  She loved cats, her grand fur babies, UConn Men's and Women's basketball, vanilla ice cream, visits to Cape Cod, and their winter trips to Arizona. She was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in the late 70's in which she found great comfort and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers or donations please spend time with your family & friends.

To leave an online condolence please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.