Mildred Kelly

Our dear mother Mildred A. Kelly sadly passed away on July 19, 2025 in Smithtown, New York surrounded by loved ones. Mildred’s life can be best encapsulated by the following words – family, friends, food, fun, and most importantly love. In her well-lived 89 years, she experienced an abundance of each. Family values and traditions were always first and foremost for Millie, and her family will forever cherish those that she created for them. 

Mildred was the dedicated daughter of Joseph and Mary Cirone and spent early years living in Garden City Park, New York along with her brother Ralph Cirone and sister Lucille Tietjen. She attended Sewanaka High School where she was an integral part of the student body and thoroughly enjoyed her time as a rockette. After graduating, Mildred pursued a career as a legal secretary. When she met Vincent P. Kelly, she knew she had met the man with whom she would marry, build a family, and grow old with.

Married in 1955, Mildred and Vincent maintained a loving and supportive marriage for nearly 70 years. Together, they raised three daughters – Lori (Kelly) Vester, Mary (Kelly) Frankel, and Kathleen Kelly. She was blessed with two very special son-in-laws, Bill Vester and Richard Frankel, both of whom loved and appreciated her very much. Mildred was the loving grandmother to Samantha (Thornton) Mallard, Sarah (Justin) Sadlo, Kaityln Vester, Sam Frankel, Maggie Frankel, and was the proud great-grandmother of Charles Wilkes Mallard.

Mildred cherished her friendships, developing them during each stage of her life, with most lasting her lifetime. From long-distance phone calls, giving sage advice, joint family outings and adventures, long-lasting dinners (with many courses), sharing laughs, a shoulder to lean on in times of difficulty, Mildred was up for it all.

Mildred was known for being an exquisite cook, taking pride in preparing tasty and comforting meals to share with family and friends gathered around the table. With only the freshest ingredients, often coming from the vegetable garden that Vincent would tend to and care for each season, it delighted Millie to allow her Italian heritage to shine through the food that she dedicated hours to perfecting for those she loved. Each meal she prepared was done with vast skill and boundless love. It was always an honor to eat at Millie’s table (and a treat to lick the Sunday sauce spoon), to hear stories of where recipes originated, with whom she had made this meal for last, and to share memories and laughs. No meal at Millie’s was every rushed, rather she was thoughtful about serving in such a way that each person at the table felt valued, had time to share their own stories, culture, and truly enjoy the delicacies she had poured her time and energy into making. 

Mildred always had an adventurous spirit which encouraged her to travel the world, both near and far with her husband Vincent and many friends throughout the years. Millie maintained a love for adventure throughout her life and always remained curious. With each adventure she took, Millie was always learning – culture, literature, history, recipes, art, geography – she learned it all. Throughout her life, she made every experience (no matter how big or small) special, enjoyable, and unforgettable and devoted her life to building a tight-knit family through shared experiences and togetherness.

Mildred was and always will be a pillar of strength, a guiding light, a constant source of joy and comfort to those who knew and loved her. There hangs a sign in Millie’s kitchen that perfectly depicts the way each family member and beloved friend felt about Mildred, especially in their times of need… “When all else fails… Ask Mimi.”

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.