Julia B. Kelly

Julia (Judy) B. Kelly, age 85, of Bowie, Maryland, died on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Julia was born to Dona and Gertrude Brisson on February 22, 1939, in Exeter, New Hampshire. After college, she moved to Maryland and taught elementary school for 36 years. A devoted Catholic, Julia was active in the Cursillo Movement and at her parish, St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church.

Julia married John J. Kelly on June 25, 1966, and raised four sons. She spent most of her career teaching first grade. Her favorite part was helping children learn to read. Starting at schools in the Annapolis area, Julia found a home at St. Bernard’s Elementary in Riverdale where she taught 27 years.

Among the values most important to her were love, gratitude, forgiveness and service. She lived these values through her work as a companion to the dying, hospice volunteer, church lector, Eucharistic Minister and CCD teacher and her daily interactions.

Julia was an avid reader and could finish a good book in a day. She most enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, sons and extended family, hosting large gatherings during the holidays and at the beach. She will be remembered with love by all who knew her.

Julia is survived by her sons Sean, Christopher, Brendan, and Timothy; daughters-in law, Kath, Anne and Laura; grandchildren, Ryan, Megan, Matthew, Nicholas, Joseph, Madeleine, Jonah, Elias and Jazarah; sister, Geraldine Spencer; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband John J. Kelly, brothers Bernard, Paul and Richard Brisson and sister Dorothy Saunders.

Wake will be held Sunday, January 26, 2-4 p.m. at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Highway (Rt 3-South), Bowie, MD 20715. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 27, 11 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 1940 Mitchellville Road, Bowie, MD 20716. Burial will follow Mass at Lakemont Memorial Gardens, 900 West Central Ave (Rt 214), Davidsonville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Julia's name to: Little Friends for Peace, 15400 Old Marshall Hall Road, Accokeek, MD 20607; Catholic Charities of Baltimore, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201; or The Washington Cursillo Movement 2419 Monroe Street, NE Washington, DC 20018; treasurer@washdccursillo.org