Mary Joan "Jo" Kelley (Stark)

Our joy in her unification with Jesus is tinged with sorrow as we share news of the death of our beloved Mother Mary Joan "Jo" Stark Kelley on March 22, 2026 in Fort Meyers, Florida. Mary Jo entered the world on February 2, 1934, the third of eight children born to Martin and Beatrice Stark. Her birth coincided with the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus. She always told her children it was a double feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary Jo graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1952 (oh how she loved “good old St. Mary’s) and was still friends with classmates Rita Stark (also her sister in law), Margie Blair Adams and Jerry Terry. On October 26, 1957, she married her soulmate John T (“Keats”) Kelley at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church. They were married 16 years before his passing left her to mourn him for the next 52+ years. She missed him deeply every day and yearned to be reunited with him in heaven.

After our father’s death, Mom stepped into the role of running Dad’s business, Charlie’s Tavern in Albion. It was a challenging time, and we all leaned into each other as a family. We were supported by extended family, many friends and our Charlie’s Tavern family. In 1979 Mary Jo moved back to Jackson working at Photo Marketing Association until her retirement in 1999. The following ten years she served as President of St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, dedicating untold hours to managing and distributing resources to those in need. She also volunteered to help adults with literacy challenges, as she told us children “It all starts with learning to read.”

The golden years of her retirement included travels to many countries; she loved seeing the glories of God’s creation. Researching genealogy was a passion. If she met a new acquaintance she would delve into their family history as well. In recent years she spent many hours completing jigsaw puzzles, watching Mass on EWTN, and praying four rosaries a day, all twenty mysteries, for her children, grandchildren, extended family, and a long list of those who needed prayer. She enjoyed lake life especially a pontoon boat ride. She loved music; a fond childhood memory for our entire family was the five Stark sisters harmonizing at family gatherings. Well known for her sense of fun and impish smile, she was the first to hit the dance floor, dragging her children along, often to their chagrin. Numerous people looked to her for emotional and spiritual support over the years. She had a tender heart for all types of people and their challenging circumstances.

She provided the most wonderful childhood to her four children and extended that loving care into our adulthood. Mary Jo is survived by her children, Kathleen Kelley Walsh (Robert), Jenny Kelley Nearnberg (David), Mary Beth Kelley Gorman (James), and Michael Kelley (Rachel); as well as grandchildren, Elizabeth Mangold (husband Keith, great grandchildren Jack and Mary), Christopher Walsh (Lydia) and Ian Michael Kelley. She is also survived by sister in law Rita Stark; brothers, James (Pam) Stark and Jerry (Sandy) Stark; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including special friends and high school classmates, Margie Blair Adams and Jerry Terry and the Wednesday night gang at the Grotto Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, John T. (Keats) Kelley; parents, Martin and Beatrice Stark; siblings, Durwood, Jacquelyn (Eugene) Fields, Janet (Michael) Griffin, Gertrude, Genevieve (Mickey); brother in law, William (Kate) Kelley; and nephew, Martin (Marty) Griffin.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM with Father Timothy Nelson officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Desnoyer Funeral Home on Thursday, April 16 from 4:30 PM until 7:00 PM with a Rosary Service at 6:30 PM. The family will also receive friends at St. Mary’s Church on Friday, April 17 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.

Contributions to St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church or the St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society would be appreciated.