Ann Kelly Collection
Ann Kelly Collection |
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Ann Cemira Kelly (March 27, 1940-March 6, 2002) was born in the city of Salamanca, New York to Joseph (later Frater Anselm) Kelly (April 22, 1907-April 14, 1961) and Marion (Greene) Kelly (January 20, 1914-April 29, 1956). She resided for the first portion of her life in Ellicottville, New York. Ann grew up with her parents and an older brother named Joseph. They were a happy and close-knit family with strong ties to the community.
When Ann was in high school, she lost her mother to leukemia. Ann and her brother then went to live with their aunt in Salamanca, and Ann's father began studying for the priesthood.
Ann committed to attending St. Bonaventure University, and she received a scholarship that assisted with tuition. In attending St. Bonaventure, Ann followed in the footsteps of her father, class of 1929, and her uncle Thomas Kelly, class of 1933 and later a member of the Board of Trustees. Prior to her attendance, Ann had visited the campus on occasion, haveing attended basketball games and other events that were held on the campus..
(Picture: Ann Kelly-- Military Ball Queen Crowning, 1959)
Ann came to St. Bonaventure University in the fall of 1958, the semester following her high school graduation. She majored in English and was heavily involved with the Mariology classes that were offered . She quickly adapted to the environment on campus. She participated in such traditions as Frosh Rules, a type of orientation for incoming students to become acclimated to the university. This tradition allowed her to meet friends and people from all across the state.
Ann made a name for herself at St. Bonaventure. She was involved with numerous on campus activities, crossing disciplines and interests. During her years at St. Bonaventure, she was a lead or supporting character in productions that were put on at the Garrett Theater. She was in a wide range of pieces including The Crucible, Girl Crazy, and The Three Act Comedy. In Girl Crazy, she acted with Richard Sroka who later died in the Vietnam War. In addition to the theater, Ann was involved in the campus choir and band, where she played the oboe. Ann loved to be in the spotlight, always advocating for the arts.
In addition to the arts, Ann was involved in a variety of other programs. She was chair of the Mariology club on campus, a member of the Women's Association and The Third Order, selected for Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society, a student librarian at the Friedsam Memorial Library on campus, and participated in many dances and events. Some of the more notable memories of her time at St. Bonaventure included her crowning as Queen of Military Ball in 1959, as well as her involvement with Robert Kennedy's visit to campus in 1960. Ann cherished every moment here at St. Bonaventure University, which later inspired her son, Patrick (1997), to also attend. Ann was a school spirited woman that brought peace and joy into her peers’ lives.
Though Ann was heavily involved on campus while attending St. Bonaventure University, following graduation, she was ready to move on to her next chapter of life. Once she had graduated, she stayed in the area for a few years, working at a playground with kids and families.Ann then moved to New York City, where she lived and worked for several years. Knowing that her mother had been interested in the west coast, Ann embreaced adventure and relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area. An English major, An nevertheless found herself in a bourgeioning career in corporate insurance, where she also met her future husband, Rodney. Despite a successful and promising career, Ann put it aside to become a full-time wife and mom. As Pat got older and more independent, though, she transitioned back into the workforce, culminating in something of a second career, this time in human resources for the City of San Francisco. After ten years with the City of San Francisco, Ann retired.
Due to distance and the obligations of family and work, Ann had limited opportunities to visit western New York later in life. However, she always loved the area and St. Bonaventure University, and she kept herself updated and connected, not only with school periodicals, but also with a subscription to the Olean Times Herald. She also treasured the keepsakes that she held onto from her time at St. Bonaventure.
Ann passed away from a sudden heart attack in 2002. Following her passing, her family decided she should be laid to rest at the St. Bonaventure Cemetery, where her father is also buried, and across from the main campus of the school of which she was so fond..
(Photo By: Cindy Hinz from FindAGrave.com)
Created by Samantha Gibson, Archival Intern, Spring 2023
St. Bonaventure University Biographies
Bonaventure Almuni Tell Their Stories
For more information about the Archives' collections contact:
archives@sbu.edu
telephone: 716.375.2322
web site: http://archives.sbu.edu/index.html
Friedsam Memorial Library
St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure, NY 14778 USA
(716) 375-2323 (general number)
(716) 375-2389 (fax)
http://www.sbu.edu/friedsam