Mary Jane “Jane” Kelly, age 87, passed away peacefully in Joplin, Missouri, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 1:45 p.m., with her family at her side.
Jane was born Mary Jane Girdley in West Plains, Missouri, on December 15, 1938, to Roland and Gladys Lucile (Wilcoxon) Girdley. She grew up in Bucyrus, Missouri, where she attended Plum Valley School and later graduated from Houston High School in 1956. Jane attended the Burge School of Nursing and became a registered nurse in 1959. She served as a pediatric nurse at Burge Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, now known as Cox North Hospital. Later, she worked for Dr. Chris L. Palcheff, a well-respected Springfield pediatrician. On May 14, 1961, she married Dean Edward Kelly, and they welcomed their son, Shannon, in 1969.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; her parents; her brother, Joseph “Joe” Clifton Girdley; her sister, Patricia “Pat” Ann Haythorne; her aunts and uncles; and a dear childhood neighbor and friend, Gertrude Wilson.
She is survived by her son, Shannon Edward Kelly, and his wife, Sherah Leigh, of Webb City, Missouri; her two granddaughters, MacKenna Jane Kelly, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Julia Gregg Kelly, of Columbia, Missouri; her younger sister, Ruby Lea Cawthra, and her husband, Jerry, of Nixa, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Jane’s favorite pastimes included drinking coffee, reading, gardening, watching the birds outside her window, and talking with Shannon at the end of the day. She was known as “Mama Jane” by many of Shannon’s friends, who were always greeted with a big smile and warm hospitality when they visited.
Jane will be laid to rest with Dean at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. In keeping with Jane’s wishes, no funeral or formal memorial service will be held. Instead, in the coming months, her family will host an afternoon to remember her through photographs, stories, and shared memories. Of course, coffee will be served. The family also plans to establish a memorial scholarship in Jane’s name for Houston High School seniors pursuing careers in nursing.
