Frances V. ‘Midge’ Kelly

More Than 20 Years With Red Cross

Frances V. “Midge” Kelly died Sunday, April 13, surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years, Eugene E. Kelly. She leaves behind a daughter, Beverly Anne Kieras and her husband, Andrew P. Kieras of Newtown, and a stepson, Douglas Kelly of Pennsylvania. She is also survived by three wonderful grandchildren, granddaughter Siobhan M. Kieras and her husband, David P. Freije of Fairfield, and two grandsons, Stephen J. Kieras and his wife, Trisha Delohery of Brookline, Mass., and Christopher P. Kieras of Seymour, his daughter Kianna Kieras and her mother, Maria Kieras. Also, two nieces, Carol Ann Woods and her husband Ronald Woods of Rutland, Vt., Ellen Langlois and her husband, Larry Langlois of Penacook, N.H.; three nephews, Lee Kevin Accavallo of Rutland, Vt., Donald John Accavallo and his wife, Arlene Accavallo also of Rutland, Vt., and Russell Kelly and his wife, Kathleen Delohery of Cincinnati, Ohio, and her friend and loving caregiver, Gerry Boucher of Bethel.

Frances Victoria Accavallo Kelly was born January 28, 1919, in Danbury. “Midge” as everyone knew her, was the youngest child of John E. Accavallo and Rose Vacarelli. She had six siblings, two sisters, Camille and Adelaide, four brothers, Jack, Robert, Louis, and Joseph. All are deceased. Midge graduated from St Peter’s School in 1933 and from Danbury High School in 1937. She always maintained that it was the best class that ever graduated from Danbury High School. Therefore, for many years she was a member of the reunion committee.

Midge was a board member of Richter Park Authority from 1985 to 2005, along with being a board member of Richter Association for the Arts and its treasurer for 15 years. She always said she “loved Richter.” She was a bowler and a member of the Greater Danbury Women’s Bowling Association, along with being an officer of the board for many years and was voted “Member Emeritus” several years ago. Another great love of hers was politics, where she was very active in the Republican Party and was treasurer for many candidates who ran for office, including mayor. She was also on the Republican Town Committee for many years and a member of the Women’s Republican Club and acted as president for several years. She loved Danbury and never wanted to live any other place.

Midge retired more than 25 years ago as an office manager/accountant. She had worked for Bragg Motors Sales, a Lincoln/Mercury dealer, for about 15 years along with a couple of other dealerships in the area. Upon her retirement she decided to give back to the community in the way of volunteer service. The Red Cross was a favorite of hers and she logged more than 20 years of service.

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated Friday, April 18, at St James Episcopal Church, Danbury, at 11 am. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery, Bethel. Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions are requested to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810 or to Richter Park Authority, 100 Aunt Hack Road, Danbury CT 06811, to be used for the restoration/reconstruction of the Richter Park House.

The Newtown Bee        April 18, 2008