It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Shirley Kelly of Columbiana, OH — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
Below, the family shares some of what made her life meaningful.
Shirley spent her working life as ['LPN at Dr'] and held deeply to the Methodist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The traditions Shirley loved will continue to hold those she loved.
SALEM – Shirley A. Kelly, 90, passed away Monday morning, May 4, 2026 at Grace Woods Senior Living in Salem, where she was a resident.
Shirley was born on February 14, 1936, in East Palestine, a daughter of Raymond and Dorothy (Bacon) Hammer. A 1954 graduate of East Palestine, Shirley married Clair Kelly on February 12, 1954. She worked as an LPN at Dr. Toni Wittenauer's office and later at Ivy Woods Care Center.
Shirley belonged to the Ohio Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star and was a member of the Salem First Methodist Church choir. She collected owl memorabilia and enjoyed her winters in Florida.
She leaves to cherish her memory two sons Michael (Darlene) Kelly of East Palestine and Shawn (Denise) Kelly of Poland; two daughters Patricia (Roger) Onstead of Somerset, PA and Cindy (Terry) McCoy of Leetonia; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren with one on the way, and five great-great-grandchildren; and sister Marilyn Willeford of Ocala, FL.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband Clair, who passed away February 15, 2016, grandson Christopher McCoy and a young brother, William.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 11:00 am at Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home, 154 S. Elm Street, Columbiana, with Pastor Byron Bufkin officiating.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m., an hour before the services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, and the American Legion Post 290, 44403 OH-14, Columbiana, OH 44408.
The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in Columbiana, Ohio with the arrangements for their loved one.
Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Arlene (Hammer) Kelly, please visit our floral store.
