August 23, 1929 – April 28, 2026
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Laurie Kelly, who died peacefully at Carondelet Village in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 28, 2026.
She was a woman of great positivity, deep faith, who loved her family; was a generous, gracious host; who radiated love to all, without distinction. She had a great sense of humor, was drawn to simple living, and delighted in gatherings of friends and family alike.
Laurie was born in Chapeau, Quebec, Canada, to Mervyn and Stella (Blais) Kelly, on August 23, 1929. Both her grade and high schools were sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) of Pembroke, Ontario, and even then, she knew she would one day join the CSJ community. After high school, she spent three years doing clerical work for the Navy at the Canadian Civil Service.
In 1952, following in the footsteps beloved family members Sister St. Roch and Sister Alma, and dear mentor Sister Edwina, Laurie moved to the Twin Cities and entered the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, where she was given the name Marie Alma. In 1957, she became a U.S. citizen and began studies in education at the College of St. Catherine (CSC), in St. Paul.
Soon after, she was sent out to teach elementary education at a number of CSJ-sponsored Minnesota schools including the Basilica in Minneapolis, St. Aloysius in Olivia, St. Mary in Bird Island, and St. Raphael in Crystal. A cherished assignment that remained close to her heart, was at St. Theresa in Honolulu, Hawai`i.
While teaching, she finished her bachelor of arts degree in education from CSC (1972) and later received a bachelor’s of science in library science from the University of North Dakota (1985), and a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry from CSC (1992). This allowed her to serve as a pastoral minister, librarian and media specialist at St. Michael in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and as a pastoral minister at St. Michael in West St. Paul.
In her retirement, Laurie volunteered at Bethany Convent and the CSJ Ministry Foundation, and she spent five years as librarian for the St. Joseph Provincial House. (2003-08). In 2011, she moved to Carondelet Village, where she happily, and always with a smile, volunteered wherever there was a need. Laurie will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Sister Laurie is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Doreen Kelly and Kathleen (Kitty) Lynch; her brothers Joseph and Mervyn Kelly. She is survived by her sister Mary, many nieces, nephews, grand, and great-grandnieces and nephews; dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.
Memorials in her honor preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province Retirement Fund.
Dear Laurie, rest in love and peace.