Obituary

Eileen Kelly, a woman of deep faith, compassion, and service, passed away peacefully on August 22nd at the age of 87, following a nearly decade-long journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Throughout her life, Eileen dedicated herself to caring for others. She began her journey of service as a nun, devoting herself to her faith and to helping those in need. She later answered another call to serve as an Air Force nurse, bringing her compassion and nursing skills to those who served our country.

Her nursing career continued through many stages of life. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Columbia Presbyterian, where she had the privilege of welcoming new life into the world. She later cared for residents at Woodcrest Center, bringing comfort, dignity, and kindness to those in their later years. Caring for others was not simply her profession—it was a reflection of who she was.

In the final years of her illness, she was no longer able to communicate with those around her. Although the disease took away her ability to speak and express herself, it could never erase the remarkable life she had lived or the many people she had touched through her years of service.

Eileen will be remembered for her strength, compassion, faith, dedication, and unwavering commitment to caring for others. Her life was one of service—from her years in religious life, to serving her country, to caring for mothers and newborns, and finally to bringing comfort to those in nursing care.

She leaves behind her children Siobhan Koch and Martin (Nicole) Kelly Jr, grandchildren Martin Kelly III, Aidan Koch, Elizabeth Kelly, Miles Kelly and Quinn Kelly, her sister Daryl Yackeren, her brother James Scott, and many beloved nieces and nephews, who will forever carry her memory and the lessons of kindness that she shared throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Kelly, her brother Joseph Scott and her sister Carolyn Michael.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to all those who cared for Eileen and provided her with comfort during her final years.

Her words may have been lost to Alzheimer’s, but her life spoke volumes. She spent her life caring for others, and she will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Please join us for a memorial mass on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 11:30am at St. Mary’s Church, 280 Washington Ave, Dumont, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to your local animal shelter or perform a random of act of kindness in her memory