Obituaries

Marjorie Helen Kelly 

Artist, poet, pilot and wonderful cook Marjorie Helen Kelly of Santa Paula died peacefully at home on Saturday, November 26, 2011 following a long life and a short illness.

Marjorie was born March 20, 1916 - or earlier! - in New York City to Austin H. Montgomery (nee Montegriffo) of New York and Augusta Victoria (Schwartz) Montgomery, a native of Austria. 

Marjorie and her two older brothers experienced an unusual and colorful childhood that included extensive world travel with prolonged stays in several foreign countries. 

Marjorie’s education included a stint at a private boarding school in Quebec and studies at Barnard College, New York.  

The Montgomery family moved to Los Angeles in the 1930s. By that time Marjorie had already obtained her pilot’s license; she flew a Jenny biplane for several years until - for an unknown reason - she hung up her goggles. 

Marjorie studied with sculptor Romano Romanelli and at the Phoenix Art Institute. As a ceramic artist with a studio in Hollywood, she was also a sought-after designer for major clients including several film studios. 

Although she first met Vincent A. Kelly as a teenager in New York, it wasn’t until after World War II that they reconnected. 

Following their marriage they moved to the San Fernando Valley, finally settling in Encino where they raised four children. 

Marjorie loved to entertain and her surroundings reflected her artistic talents and appreciation of elegance. The Kelly home was the scene of regular gatherings from intimate dinners to 4th of July celebrations for dozens of families.

She loved animals and throughout her life Marjorie pampered dogs, cats and for a time the Shetland ponies that she bred for show and pleasure. 

In the 1950s Marjorie was a dedicated volunteer and area Captain for the March of Dimes and she was later involved with her children in the 4-H Club. 

In the 1960s the family lived in Thousand Oaks before returning to the San Fernando Valley where Marjorie and Vincent purchased a home in Chatsworth. 

For several years Marjorie was deeply involved in real estate both in sales and as an investor.

Marjorie was an accomplished poet and lover of classical music, especially opera; her paternal grandfather was Agostino Montegriffo, who played Canio in the New York production that in 1893 introduced Pagliacci to American audiences. 

Marjorie was a culinary artist who immensely enjoyed and excelled at cooking; a serious student of nutrition she was an early proponent of healthy - but still delicious - meals.  

Above all Marjorie loved family and was loved in return by all who came in contact with her. She was devastated when Vincent, her loving husband of more than 50 years and “fashion pal” who often wore matching colors, passed in 1998. 

Marjorie moved to Santa Paula in 2009 and spent her final years happy with her surroundings, her always active mind fascinated by South Mountain, the airplanes flying into the airport, waving to the tourist train engineer and delighted with the mild weather and wonderful people. 

Aside from Marjorie’s parents and her husband Vincent, her brothers Howard Montgomery and General Austin H. Montgomery (Ret.) predeceased her.

Marjorie is survived by daughters Helen F. (Christopher Sternal) Kelly of Los Angles, M.J. Peggy Kelly of Santa Paula and Victoria A. (Pablo Garcia) Kelly of Santa Paula and son Vincent A. (Gale Regan) Kelly of Northridge; adored grandchildren Robert Klosterman, Sean (Laura Lee) Klosterman, Jennifer (Thomas) Wineman and Sabrina Kelly; great-grandchildren Amber Grace Wineman and Isaac Klosterman and special “Kid Friends” Caitlin Coffman and Alexandria Welsh. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and was especially close to Robin Montgomery-Kay, Sy Montgomery and Roberta Hughes. 

The family is confident that Dad had been patiently waiting for our often late mother, holding open the door of a luxury car, her last beloved Chihuahua Rosie wiggling on the backseat, and calling happily when he saw her, “Come on Mommy-O, we’ve got places to go!” 

The family wishes that contributions in Marjorie’s memory be made to the donor’s favored charity or be expressed as a random act of kindness. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Dec. 30, 4 to 7 p.m. at The Glen Tavern Inn, 134 N. Mill St., Santa Paula. Marjorie will be reunited and inurned with Vincent at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012 at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, 22601 Lassen St., Chatsworth, with a reception to follow at Los Toros Restaurant, 21743 Devonshire Blvd., Chatsworth.