Julia Kelly

Obituary Julia's arrival into this world was celebrated by her parents, August and Antonia Sousa and their extensive family and many friends, on August 5, 1914. Julia's departure from this world on September 24, 2005 is being celebrated by an even larger family and by many, many more friends. The fifth of seven children, Julia was born at her parent's home above "The Store", Sousa's Grocery, at 30th and E Streets in Tacoma. Julia's birth was attended by a midwife, and she was named after a family friend and neighbor, Julia Glenn. She was a lifetime member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish; attended Holy Rosary Grade School and graduated from there in 1928. She attended Lincoln High School, graduating in 1932. After high school she worked at Tacoma Grocers as a PBX (telephone) operator. She also worked in the office at Saint Leo High School from 1958 to 1963. As a young woman in the 1930s, she enjoyed life as a single woman "chasing around" with her friends May, Maureen, Betty, her sister Esther and her niece Lucille. In March of 1936 Julia joined a Catholic women's club, The Young Ladies Institute (YLI), of which she has been a member ever since. She was the president of the local YLI Institute, Tahoma Institute No. 67, in 1963, 1966, 1990, and 1991. Julia's love of flowers lead her to belong to various garden clubs over the years, the most recent being the Alling Park Garden Club. She was also a long-time member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters. At the beginning of World War II she met a young Army sergeant, William (Bill) Kelly, whom she married on July 11, 1942. They were married just 5 months short of fifty years. Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her son Daniel, and her grandson Patrick. She is survived by her sister, Esther Walton, daughter-in-law, Theresa (Terry), son Terence and wife Darlene, her daughter Karen and husband Ralph, honorary daughter Billie Jo, granddaughter Lynette and husband Rob, honorary grandson Rick, honorary granddaughter Courtney and Beckie, and great grandchildren Alysha, Lindsey, and Chase, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and great-great-great nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 30, 2005, 11:00 AM at Holy Rosary Church, 424 South 30th Street. A vigil service will be held Thursday, September 29, 7:00 PM at Gaffney Funeral Home, 1002 South Yakima Avenue. Interment Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Rosary School. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.