Hajnalka "Heidi" Kelly

Hajnalka ( Heidi ) Kelly went to the Lord on November 30, 2017 at the age of 89. She was born on April 2, 1928 in Rasony, Hungary, to Maria and Jozsef Kucskar. She lived a happy childhood in pre-war Hungary, but during the war years was forced into labor camps with her parents and two sisters, Kathy and Lily. By the end of the war her mother had shepherded the family as far west as Fischelham, Austria, where she met and married an American soldier. By 1950, she had become a naturalized US citizen. Over the years the family grew to six children but the marriage ended in 1961 in El Paso. There she met Tom S. Kelly while working as a waitress at Swanky Franky’s pizzeria on Dyer Street. Later that year Tom married her and adopted her children. Tom promised her she wouldn’t have to work anymore and he would take care of her children and he did. In 1968 LTC Tom Kelly retired in El Paso. Heidi adored her family and stayed close to her children and the extended family. Her house was the center of family gatherings. For those lucky enough to live in El Paso, she always had meals at her home because she loved to cook Hungarian and German specialties. If family was visiting during holidays or vacations she would have morning gatherings to make doughnuts or cookies. Even for medical appointments she would bake cheesecakes or pastries for the doctor and staff. Heidi loved to play golf and volunteer. Tom taught her to play after they married and they would take golf vacations in Hawaii and in the southern US until their health wouldn’t permit this. Her golf trophies were numerous and included 4 holes-in-one. She made many golfing friends, and others while volunteering. She started volunteering at the Fort Bliss OWC Thrift Shop in 1968 and continued for 49 years. Many of the friends she made during this time were military families that were stationed at Ft. Bliss and needed a home-away-from-home. She hosted Hungarian military attending Sergeant’s Major Academy and made friends with a number of German Air Force military families. Heidi is survived by her daughters Monika H. Fields (Allen) and Heidi M. Kelly, and sons Dr. Joseph H.F. Kelly (Mary), Henry B. Kelly (Madelaine), and Frank L. Kelly (Teri). She was preceded in death by her husband LTC Tom S. Kelly, her mother and father, her sister Kathy Von Hoch, and daughter Lilly M. (Cookie) Kelly. Tom and Heidi have 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank her long-time doctor, Dr. Muneer Assi, and the staff of Envision Hospice for their exemplary care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Vigil/Rosary to begin at 7:00 pm at Sunset Funeral Homes Northeast. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Christ the Savior Catholic Church on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 12:00 pm, noon. Committal Service to follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.