Jacqueline Kelley 1933-2019 Jacky penned her own obituary in September 2006. I died [on January 27] from [complications from Alzheimer’s]. I was born in 1933 to Margaret Carmody and Leo J. St. Clair on January 15, a birthdate I’m proud to share with Martin Luther King Jr. I grew up in New Jersey, went to college at the University of Pennsylvania receiving a B.A. in microbiology, and then earned an M.S. in bacteriology at the UW-Madison.
I’ve also lived in Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York. Wisconsin is the best. In 1959, I married UW biochemist Joe Kelley, who turned out to be a great choice.
We belonged together and I cherish our shared time. I thank him for graciously tolerating my occasional idiosyncrasies. My work life, mostly in Madison, was partly in labs, where I isolated and characterized several streptomycetes, helped to determine the basic growth requirements for acellular slime molds, and carried out experiments in bacterial genetics for Joshua Lederberg; and partly in front of a typewriter or computer covering the life sciences for the UW, writing for a Medical School publication, for the Wisconsin Cancer Pain Initiative, for the UW Arboretum, and others.
I am thankful for having experienced many wonderful people in Madison. They include geneticist Jim Crow; Nobel Laureate, boss and bacterial geneticist Josh Lederberg; cancer pioneer Harold Rusch; pharmacologist June Dahl, whose efforts have brought pain relief to people world wide; Ralph Hawley, medical school associate dean; my friend Verna Hill, who told the truth even when it hurt; UW Arboretum personnel; and lots of others. Mostly, I’m thankful for our five daughters, who somehow have managed to do it all.
Each is kind, each works hard, each is a healer. Being born in a span of fewer than 9 years, they had far less parental care than they deserved, but somehow they prospered with their senses of humor intact. I feel they must have nourished and parented one another.
I only wish I had known them much earlier. They are Katie, Amy, Denise, Sharon and Shawn. The world is better for their presence.
If you’re so inspired, I (from on high or wherever) would appreciate memorials to the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom-Madison branch, and Friends of the UW Arboretum. There will be no viewing or funeral, as my body is scheduled to go to the UW Dept. of Anatomy for students to dissect.
Jacky was preceded in death by her daughter, Shawn Charlotte Kelley, of Wenatchee,WA. She is survived by her husband, John (Joe) Kelley, of Verona, WI and four daughters: Catherine Kelley of Madison, WI; Amy Kelley Hoitsma (Todd) of Bozeman, MT; Denise Kelley DeLuca (Tom) of Missoula, MT; and Sharon Anne Kelley of Denver, CO. She also will be remembered by several special grandchildren: Joshua Kelley of Madison, WI; Vincent DeLuca of Birmingham, England; Emile DeLuca of Portland, OR; Henry DeLuca of Missoula, MT; Alexandra Haugan of Seattle, WA; and Eamon Haugan of Wenatchee, WA.
At her request, Jacky’s ashes will be scattered in the UW Arboretum when spring returns.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
