Elise M Kelly's Obituary
Elise M. Kelly, 86, of Fruitland Park passed peacefully on Friday, July 7th, 2023. Elise was born March 6th, 1937, to George and Viola (Brown) Lockhart in Northville, Mi. She graduated from Northville High School and the Harper Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit, MI.
On July 6, 1957 Elise married the love of her life Harlan William Kelly in Northville, Michigan. Together they had 3 children, Lisa, Karla and Michael. In 1979 Harlan and Elise relocated from Michigan to Leesburg, Florida and spent the remainder of their lives there.
Elise had a long career as a Registered Nurse, practicing the art of nursing in Michigan, Texas and Florida. She retired from Leesburg Regional Medical Center in Leesburg, Florida.
Throughout her life Elise was first and foremost dedicated to her family. She taught her daughters a valuable lesson she learned from her own mother, that the world doesn’t owe you a living and you need to get the education and experience necessary to support yourself without depending on others. She was extremely proud of her daughters and their personal and professional accomplishments. These lessons have been passed on to her 6 granddaughters who are all amazing young women and grandma was proud of all of them. Her 7 great-grandchildren have a valuable legacy to work towards and pass on.
During her retirement and in her spare time, Elise enjoyed visiting family, reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and had a wealth of knowledge that served her well in answering trivia questions, which she got right most of the time. She also enjoyed sewing and really loved the many dogs and cats that she had throughout her life. She also enjoyed participating in her church activities and outreach until the pandemic shut them down. She loved talking to people and possessed a keen wit that made conversing with her very entertaining.
Elise is preceded in passing by her parents, husband Harlan, and son Michael. Also on the other side to greet her is her brother and his wife, Hugh and Beverly Lockhart and her niece Kathryn Lockhart, as well as many other family members and friends.
Elise leaves behind to mourn her passing her daughters, Lisa (Patrick) Kemp of Clarkston, MI and Punta Gorda, FL, and Karla (Linwood) Sasser of Arcadia, FL. She also leaves behind 6 beautiful granddaughters Rebecca (Ray) Carris, Jessica (Alden Gehrt) Sasser, Caitlin (Jonathan) Houston, Amanda Lovely, Jennifer (Nate Lipp) Lovely and Holly (Mitch Hantz) Lovely. 7 Great Grandchildren Logan Carris, Kyle Carris, Kadyn Carris, Trinity Hatcher, Mikeal Sasser, Nathan Houston and Catherine Houston. She is also survived by her niece, Caryn Coyle and her nephew, David (Noge) Lockhart as well as many other family and friends.
Elise's final arrangements are under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Per Elise’s request cremation will take place and her ashes will be scattered at the location where her son was scattered in 1986. There will be no public services. If you wish to memorialize Elise in some way, please make a donation to the local animal shelter of your choice. Godspeed and fly free Mom until we meet again!
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