Born ‎19 Feb 1930 Selmes, Carbon County, Montana, died ‎8 Oct 2021 Olympia, Thurston County, Washington‎, age 91 years
BARBARA KELLEY OBITUARY
Barbara Kelley

February 19, 1930 - October 8, 2021

Barbara Rooney Kelley of Butte died October 8, 2021 in Olympia, WA. She was born February 19, 1930 to Beatrice (Cline) and Joe Rooney in Billings. She lived on the family ranch in the Rocky Fork Valley of the Yellowstone and attended Selmes, a one-room school near Roberts. She later moved "into town", and attended school in Red Lodge. A member of Saddle Club, she performed on horseback in parades and horse shows. She was a cheerleader and baton twirler for Carbon County High School, from which she graduated at age 17 in 1947. Although offered a full scholarship to Juilliard School of Music in New York, Barbara opted to attend Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas, earning a B.A. in Music in 1951. While there, she played violin and piano and performed operatic vocals, even making several records in Kansas City. She began her teaching career at Anaconda Junior and Senior High Schools, and her chorus earned a Superior rating at the All-State choir competition. Barbara attended graduate school at the University of Montana in Missoula, where she met Walter Kelley. They were married in June 1953 at St. Agnes Church in Red Lodge. Barbara, as an only child, faced a daunting task marrying into Walt's family of six sisters; still, her sincerity and fun spirit meant they would all be friends as well as family. During their 57-year marriage she was active in teaching and music in every town they lived in the course of Walter's work with Montana Power Company. Those parishes included St. Peter and St. Paul in Anaconda; St. Mary in Livingston; St. Jude in Havre; St. Raphael in Glasgow; and St. Anthony in Missoula. After moving to Butte in 1970, she directed the Immaculate Conception Church choir and Aldersgate Methodist Church choir, finishing her choral work directing the St. Ann adult choir for over two decades. She taught private voice lessons in Missoula as well as teaching music education at St. Anthony school in Missoula and South Central Junior High in Butte. She always loved being greeted by former students who recognized her. Aside from her church choir work, Barbara founded the "Mello-Tones" in Missoula and the "Note-a-Belles" in Butte; four-part women's a capella choruses who entertained for civic, seasonal, and other special occasions. They were particularly fond of performing for rest home audiences as well as entertaining aboard the Old No. 1 trolley in the Butte 4th of July parade each year. The Kelleys were blessed with two daughters, Teresa and Maureen. Barbara was a devoted mother and actively volunteered for school, Girl Scout and 4-H activities including cooking instruction, campouts, and bike hikes. The family enjoyed camping and traveling together, usually harmonizing in the car. After Walt's retirement they traveled to Ireland, Hawaii, and Europe. She often hosted family gatherings and her cooking was legendary. She loved being a grandma to Laura (Coyne) Waters and Maeve Kelley, and later a great-grandma to Emma and Camden Waters. Barbara moved to Olympia, WA in 2014, where she and her daughter Teresa had many adventures. Barbara is survived by her daughter Teresa Kelley and her daughter Maeve of Olympia, WA, daughter Maureen Kelley (Larry Markovich) of Butte, granddaughter Laura (Coyne) and husband Jared Waters, and their children Emma and Camden of Spokane Valley, WA. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. Cremation has taken place. Due to COVID restrictions, funeral services will be announced for next summer in Butte.


Published by The Montana Standard on Oct. 17, 2021.

Born ‎3 Aug 1932 Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana, died ‎31 Jul 2010 Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana‎, age 77 years