Elizabeth Benezet Foote Kelly

Elizabeth Benezet Foote Kelly (Betty), 100 years of age, was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. It is with profound sadness that we announce her passing on Friday, March 21, 2025. She died at home with her two daughters by her side. She was born June 23, 1924 in Monroeville to the late Allison E. Foote, Sr. and Linda B. Foote (Moore). She was one of 13 children, the ninth child and first-born girl in the family. As a young girl she attended the Methodist Church in Monroeville. At age 14, her mother died suddenly, and Elizabeth had to leave school and take over her mother’s role. She took care of the younger children and did all the washing, cooking, cleaning and helping out on the farm and in the meat house making sausages. It was a lot to take on for a young girl. At age 16, she learned to drive the old Model T Ford and every week her father would pack up fine cuts of meat, vegetables, milk, homemade bricks of butter and whatever else available on the farm. She was very proud that her father entrusted her with driving to the Camden Market, under the bridge, to sell their goods. Elizabeth met and married Bill Kelly shortly after the troops returned from World War II. They moved to a farm in Pilesgrove where they started a family and raised their three children. Although she remained a Methodist, she was very active in St. Joseph’s Parish in Swedesboro where her children attended grammar school. She helped organize and prepare the first weekly hot lunches at the school. Besides being a wonderful homemaker, she had many talents and delved into creative projects such as becoming the first in her family to research and document the Allison E. Foote, Sr. family genealogy, all typed on her Smith Corona typewriter. She excelled in whatever she did and was prolific as a calligrapher, quilter, crocheter, gardener and baker. However her real love was writing. With great wit and humor, she wrote poetry and short stories that seemed to endlessly pour out of her. She created whimsical rhymes instantaneously and shared them with friends and family. She left behind stacks of journals documenting her early life living on a farm in a family of 15 during the great depression. Among many things, she is well remembered for her great sense of humor, her love of animals, her amazing pies and her dynamic personality. Even at age 100, she could belt out a song from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s remembering all of the lyrics. She often sang hymns she heard at church or from her father singing while working in the fields. She loved them all, especially “Amazing Grace”. Her secret to longevity was her faith, joy, love of family and connection to nature. She will also be remembered for the special love and care she gave to her husband Bill when he fell ill and died of Parkinson’s. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. She is survived by her daughters Susan M. Kelly and Patricia N. Kelly; her grandson William F. Kelly, III, granddaughter Mary Allison Loveland, (John); great granddaughter Alexis Justine Kelly and great grandson Tate Loveland. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband William F. Kelly, Sr. and her son William F. Kelly, Jr. She was also predeceased by her 12 brothers and sisters: Edwin (Eddie) Foote, Vernon Foote, James (Jim) Foote, Harold Foote, Charles (Charlie) Foote, Franklin (Frankie) Foote, Walter Foote, Allison Jr. (Tubby) Foote, Benjamin (Bingy) Foote, Charles Alexander Lindbergh (Lindy) Foote, Rose Thelma (Susie) Foote and Helen Foote. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Legion Ambulance Association, 30 Broad Street, Elmer, NJ 08318, (856-769-1779); the Salem County Humane Society, PO Box 214, Carneys Point, NJ 08069, (856-299-2220); and to Samaritan (Hospice), Samaritan Gift Processing Center, PO Box 71425, Philadelphia, PA 19176-1425 (856-552-3287). Services will be held at a later date.

Elizabeth Benezet Foote Kelly

June 23, 1924 - March 21, 2025

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Elizabeth Benezet Foote Kelly

June 23, 1924 - March 21, 2025

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