Celebrating the life of
Anna Catharine Fitzpatrick Kelly
January 17, 1925 - July 09, 2015
Savannah- Catharine Fitzpatrick Kelly, 90, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2015, in Savannah. She was born in Savannah, Georgia, on January 17, 1925, and was the daughter of the late John Francis Fitzpatrick and Annie Juchter, both of Savannah.
Catharine attended public school in Chatham County and was a graduate of Savannah High School. She worked for the Central of Georgia Railroad for many years. Catharine spent all of her life in Savannah and was a long-time member of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension. Fond of the outdoors, Catharine spent much of her time gardening, birdwatching, fishing, crabbing, boating, and playing with her beloved menagerie of dogs, cats, and other creatures.
A great lover of animals, Catharine was a devoted champion of animal welfare and pet rescue. She was the founder of Pet Assistance League of Savannah (PALS). The mission of her organization was to provide financial assistance to members of the community who wanted to spay and/or neuter their animals but were unable to afford the cost on their own. For many years she and her volunteers taught dog obedience training classes, and the funds raised from the classes were put towards making a difference in the lives of people and their pets, as well as in the lives of countless stray and homeless animals that continually found their way to Catharine’s door. Catharine was also active in providing pet therapy to chronically and/or terminally ill children and adults. She and her dogs were always out and about in local hospitals and nursing homes for visits to those who welcomed the sight of wagging tails and the opportunity to hug a furry neck or shake a friendly paw. Catharine received an award from the State of Georgia for her work in pet rehabilitation therapy. She was also actively involved with the Humane Society and served on its board of directors.
Catharine is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Anthony O’Leary Kelly. She is also survived by nieces Cissy Fitzpatrick Fox, Mary Fitzpatrick Hagan, Ann Lindsay Lutz, and by several great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, July 12, 2015, at Lutheran Church of the Ascension on Wright Square. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at Bonaventure Cemetery following the funeral service. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Church of the Ascension and Coastal Pet Rescue.
Strange that I just thought of Catharine the other day and I now find that she has "crossed the rainbow bridge". I was fortunate to work with Catharine from 1986 to 1988 through PALS. She was a remarkable lady and a true lover of animals. She will be missed by so many two-legged and four legged creatures.
- Beth Griffies, Newnan, GA
Sorry For your Lost.
- Coleman, Savannah, ga
We greatly enjoyed our time working with Mrs.Kelly and the P.A.L.S. organization. She was a wonderful and important part of our community that will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time.
- Gail Case, Lisa Yackel and the Case Veterinary Hospital Team, Savannah , GA
My condolences to Tony, Cissy and the rest of Catharine’s family and friends. Catharine was an inspiration to me and many others. She never tired, never relented in her efforts to help pets and the people who love them, always setting an example for the rest of us to follow. I know Catharine through PALS, through dog training and through therapy dog volunteering. I think of her and Pat Huntton together again now and that makes me smile.
- Gail Krueger, Vancouver, WA
Dear Kelly Family, Catherine will be missed by so many people. She was a giver and teacher. Her Love for animals will be remembered always. We knew each other through PALS for many years. May GOD Bless you in Your time of Loss and pain.
- Kim Horn Boulware/Second Chance Dog rescue, Guyton, Ga
Please know that our prayers are with you in the passing of your devoted wife and our friend Mrs. Kelly, please accept our sincere condolences.
- Ted & Shirley Quarterman, Savannah, gGa.
MY Dog Honey and myself are sorry to here about Catharine passing she will be missed
- john moon and Honey Moon, savannah, ga
Dear Tony, We are so sorry to read of your dear wife's death. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Ann, Joe, and Susan
- Ann & Joe Farr, 408 East 51st Street, Savannah, Ga, 31405
Dear Tony, I am Margie and Charlie Edwards' daughter, Kim. I live in Waycross now and just received calls from both Mama's very close friend, Lucille "Cilie" Sutton and Daddy's second wife, Mary, letting me know that Kitty had passed away. I am so very sorry for your loss........I have very fond memories of you and Kitty spending time with Mama and Daddy and I know what joy yours and Kitty's friendship brought to them both. I can see Kitty's smile in my mind's eye right now and remember y'all coming to the house to play cards and also your pets and the wonderful work that y'all did through them. Please know that you and Kitty and all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers and that remembering you both brings a smile to my heart. May God bless you with peace and strength during the days to come; I am sure that Mama and Daddy will greet Kitty with open arms in Heaven........ Love, Kim
- Kim (Edwards) Bennett, Waycross (formerly of Savannah), Ga.
Catharine was my dear friend and mentor. She had a tremendous impact on my life and I am grateful for her friendship over these many years. My prayers go out to Tony and her remaining family. I wish you comfort during this sad time.
- Eric Coppi, Woodstock , Ga
I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to Tony and the rest of her family. She was one of my best friends and taught me so much about the care of animals and I shared many years with her in PALS. We attended many services together at Ascension.
- Yvonne Romeo, Montgomery, TX
I am so very sorry to hear of Kitty's passing. She and Tony were such a huge part of my childhood. I remember playing pingpong at their house. Also enjoying the animals they always had. I know she will be greatly missed as she was a truly wonderful lady.
- Brenda Brown Lanier, Rincon, GA
Strange that I just thought of Catharine the other day and I now find that she has "crossed the rainbow bridge". I was fortunate to work with Catharine from 1986 to 1988 through PALS. She was a remarkable lady and a true lover of animals. She will be missed by so many two-legged and four legged creatures.
- Beth Griffies, Newnan, GA
Sorry For your Lost.
- Coleman, Savannah, ga
We greatly enjoyed our time working with Mrs.Kelly and the P.A.L.S. organization. She was a wonderful and important part of our community that will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time.
- Gail Case, Lisa Yackel and the Case Veterinary Hospital Team, Savannah , GA
My condolences to Tony, Cissy and the rest of Catharine’s family and friends. Catharine was an inspiration to me and many others. She never tired, never relented in her efforts to help pets and the people who love them, always setting an example for the rest of us to follow. I know Catharine through PALS, through dog training and through therapy dog volunteering. I think of her and Pat Huntton together again now and that makes me smile.
- Gail Krueger, Vancouver, WA
Dear Kelly Family, Catherine will be missed by so many people. She was a giver and teacher. Her Love for animals will be remembered always. We knew each other through PALS for many years. May GOD Bless you in Your time of Loss and pain.
- Kim Horn Boulware/Second Chance Dog rescue, Guyton, Ga
Please know that our prayers are with you in the passing of your devoted wife and our friend Mrs. Kelly, please accept our sincere condolences.
- Ted & Shirley Quarterman, Savannah, gGa.
MY Dog Honey and myself are sorry to here about Catharine passing she will be missed
- john moon and Honey Moon, savannah, ga
Dear Tony, We are so sorry to read of your dear wife's death. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Ann, Joe, and Susan
- Ann & Joe Farr, 408 East 51st Street, Savannah, Ga, 31405
Dear Tony, I am Margie and Charlie Edwards' daughter, Kim. I live in Waycross now and just received calls from both Mama's very close friend, Lucille "Cilie" Sutton and Daddy's second wife, Mary, letting me know that Kitty had passed away. I am so very sorry for your loss........I have very fond memories of you and Kitty spending time with Mama and Daddy and I know what joy yours and Kitty's friendship brought to them both. I can see Kitty's smile in my mind's eye right now and remember y'all coming to the house to play cards and also your pets and the wonderful work that y'all did through them. Please know that you and Kitty and all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers and that remembering you both brings a smile to my heart. May God bless you with peace and strength during the days to come; I am sure that Mama and Daddy will greet Kitty with open arms in Heaven........ Love, Kim
- Kim (Edwards) Bennett, Waycross (formerly of Savannah), Ga.
Catharine was my dear friend and mentor. She had a tremendous impact on my life and I am grateful for her friendship over these many years. My prayers go out to Tony and her remaining family. I wish you comfort during this sad time.
- Eric Coppi, Woodstock , Ga
I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to Tony and the rest of her family. She was one of my best friends and taught me so much about the care of animals and I shared many years with her in PALS. We attended many services together at Ascension.
- Yvonne Romeo, Montgomery, TX
I am so very sorry to hear of Kitty's passing. She and Tony were such a huge part of my childhood. I remember playing pingpong at their house. Also enjoying the animals they always had. I know she will be greatly missed as she was a truly wonderful lady.
- Brenda Brown Lanier, Rincon, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
