Baptized in the hope of Christ’s Resurrection, Agnes V (Mersinger) Kelly passed away unexpectedly November 26, 2022. She joins her husband of 61 years, Tom, in eternal life as he led her on this journey just ten months ago in January 2022. Agnes was born in St. Louis to Rose (Drees) and Otto Mersinger, February 8, 1935. As the youngest of 10 children, her large and caring family helped shape her into the generous, peaceful, and faith-filled woman she became. Agnes graduated from St. Elizabeth Academy high school in 1952, and St. John’s Mercy School of Nursing in 1955, the same year she met Tom, her husband-to-be. There was attraction but no relationship at first, because soon after meeting, Tom joined the US Army, and Agnes entered the Maryknoll convent. However, three years later, neither military nor religious life seemed vocational callings. While Ag worked in Pediatric Nursing, Tom worked at courting Agnes. Married in 1960, Agnes gave up professional nursing in 1961 to begin a career of loving and forming her six children and cultivating a marriage and loving homes in St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Londonderry, NH. Agnes renewed her professional nursing credentials after a 25-year hiatus. A servant to her family, she accepted a nightshift position to help make ends meet. As Charge Nurse in the Physical Rehab ward of St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua, NH, from 1986 until 1996, it was a noteworthy stretch in a life of placing others before self, and God at the center. Once Agnes and Tom were officially retired, they returned to their hometown of St. Louis, drawn very much by a need that Agnes recognized: in-home nursing care for her oldest brother. Her daily acts of love in caring for her family also extended to acts of kindness and service to her community. For many years Agnes delivered meals-on-wheels, served in the soup kitchen, and donated blood. Her dedication to works of mercy demonstrated the fruit of faithful participation in the Sacraments of the Church. One fed the other. She also shared many joy-filled pastimes with family and friends, with special attention to grandchildren. She played to win in any solitaire, one-on-one, partners, or round-the-table game of cards. She taught by example, enjoying life’s simple pleasures: reading mysteries, novels, children’s stories, playing board games, praying the Rosary, shooting pool, shooting hoops, sipping coffee, eating ice cream, baking, sipping wine, dancing, and napping! Her heart was content. And she shared that contentment with others. Agnes died unexpectedly, but she did not die unprepared. As she did on so many days, she attended daily Mass on Thanksgiving Day, one day before Our Lord called her home. She is loved and missed by so many. And with great hope, we trust Agnes is now greeted and embraced by so many more!
Agnes is survived by children, Mary (Joe) Hilmes, Michael (Mary), Kevin, Patrick (Theresa) Vallez-Kelly, Brian (Kelly), and Dan (Jill). She was beloved grandmother to twenty-four grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. She also goes ahead of sisters-in-law, Ellen Keady, Margaret “Peggy” Kelly, Susan Duffy, and Helen Kelly; many godchildren, nieces, and nephews. Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Otto Mersinger; her sisters Sr. Barbara Rose, Margaret (Al) Johnson, Teresa (Carl) Johnson, and Sr. Rose Marie; her brothers Rev. Arthur, Richard (Laurie), Victor (Clem), George (Margie), and Rev. Norbert; her mother-and-father-in-law, Nellie and Thomas Kelly Sr; her sister-and-brothers-in-law Mary Catherine and George Lucas, Joe Keady, John “Delaney” Kelly, and Danny Duffy; and her daughter-in-law Kate Kelly.
SERVICES: Funeral from KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois, on Friday, December 9, 9:30am to St. John Paul II for a 10am Mass. Interment J. B. National Cemetery. Visitation Thursday, December 8, 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers, Masses preferred or contributions to Our Lady’s Inn Maternity Homes or St. Vincent de Paul.