Grace Concetta (Giunta) Kelly, 77 of West Chester, PA left us suddenly on Friday August 21, 2020 at 4:20 pm at Paoli Hospital, surrounded by her entire family. She gave the gift of life to 3 recipients in need as an organ donor.
Born November 23, 1942 in West Chester, PA she was the daughter of the late Anthony Giunta and the late Theresa Filoromo Giunta.
Grace graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School and earned her degree at Goldey-Beacom College. She was an active member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered her time at Sunrise Assisted Living where she would say the rosary with the residents. She was an active member of the Assumption Procession Committee at St. Agnes for decades. She was a devout Catholic, who had a reverence to St. Joseph.
She wore many caps as far as a profession. She started her career as a teacher and remained a teacher at heart throughout her life. She was an amazing realtor, who spent many years working at Crowther’s Real Estate, among other real-estate agencies. She continued her love for sales, by working as a manager at an assisted living facility, as this combined her love for being a caregiver, which directly correlated to her giving nature. Being with people is what made Grace feel most fulfilled. She loved going to the beach and spent many years at the family home in Wildwood Crest. As years continued, she enjoyed being with her family who resided on the West Coast and had many beautiful memories there.
She was the loving wife of the late James P. Kelly.
Grace first caught Jim’s eye at a Shanahan dance. They had a beautiful marriage of 52 years. She was the true love to her late husband Jim and was by his side through his 10 years of suffering a debilitating loss from Alzheimer’s Disease. She enjoyed cooking, as nobody was better at making meatballs than she. Her favorite times were being surrounded by her children and grandchildren teaching them her family’s recipe. Her sister, Angela, had a very special relationship with mom, this is the kind of love that all sisters dream of. She was happiest when she was with her family and friends and enjoyed many laughs and shared in their tears during times of trouble.
Along with her amazing cooking, she had a love for reading. She would stay up all night finishing her novels, in between doing loads of laundry and caring for her sweet dog, Chloe (although RIP Roxy). At any time of the night, a family member or friend in need could call mom, and she would answer as though as it was the middle of the day. She was always ready to be there to listen and provide us with her motherly advice. She had a love of being there for the many sports and activities of her children and grandchildren and never missed an event or show. A true matriarch and our biggest supporter!
Grace is survived by her children, 16 grandchildren, & 2 great grandchildren: Theresa Schwarz (Tim), Timothy Jr, Daniel, Amanda, Timmy & Sofia; Jim Kelly (Shannon), Avery, Taylor & Brennan; Marie Tordone (Mike), Kelly, Jackie, & Mikey; Kathleen Ruggeri (Lou), Louie, Grace, Brooke & Joseph; Tony Kelly (Stephanie), Tom, Leia, & Anthony. She is also survived by her sweet brother, Peter Giunta & dear sister, Angela Swisher.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Tom Giunta, Anthony Giunta, and Larry Giunta, with whom she felt their untimely deaths very deeply.
Relatives and Friends are invited to her visitation on Saturday, August 29, 2020, from 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM at the St. Agnes Church 233 West Gay St. West Chester; followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00. Please be prepared with a mask at this indoor venue.
Due to COVID 19, Interment will be private. There will be a celebrating of Grace’s life in the future.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America c/o Kelly's Hero's and mailed to Kathleen Ruggeri 329 Twin Pond Drive West Chester, PA 19382 and/or Gift of Life 401 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19123.
Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181 www.DellaFH.com