Obituary of Erica Dorothy Kelly

Erica “Rickie” Kelly passed away on December 2, 2024. She was 92 years old.

Born in Staten Island, NY, to parents Julius and Ruth (Field) Luck, Rickie was raised in Staten Island and attended Wagner University. She lived in Greenbelt, MD in the beginning of her marriage before moving back to New Jersey and settling in Mendham in 1957, where she and her husband Bill raised their six children.  

Rickie worked as a teacher for many years before launching a career in Real Estate.  She especially enjoyed guiding first-time buyers through the process and ushering many people into homeownership. She was an optimist who had an eye for beauty and could find the best in any situation, be it a neglected home or a struggling student.  She loved babies and children and would open her home to anyone who needed a helping hand. For many years, Rickie and her husband would volunteer with the “Presbiers” who travelled to local nursing homes to sing classics and favorites to their residents. 

Her favorite people were always her family and she cherished making a home that was someplace you were always welcome.  She made homemade meals, pies from scratch, canned beans, jam from back-yard fruit, sewed curtains and slip covers and skirts and dresses, and there was always enough and always an extra seat at the table, and she did it with grace and good humor.  Famous for great ideas for other people to do, Rickie encouraged everyone she loved and always celebrated efforts and accomplishments.

Rickie is predeceased by her husband of 67 years, William Kelly, and siblings, Julius Luck, David Luck, Elizabeth Luck, and Ruth Hudson. She is survived by her children, Sharon Kelly, Michael (Andrea) Kelly, Diana (Gary) Janiszewski, Bill (Ellen Paltiel) Kelly, Jim (Frederica) Kelly, and Julie (Ken) Fulton, 14 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 21, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am with a service beginning at 11:30 am at Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham. A private burial service was held in Hilltop Cemetery where Rickie was laid to rest with the love of her life, William.