Mary Kelly Felice

Whidbey Island resident Mary Kelly Felice, 76, passed away peacefully in her home on April 1, 2026.  She is remembered for her warmth, kindness, and depth of knowledge.  She had an ardent and constant willingness to promote education and to help people and animals.

Kelly was born in Queens, New York City in 1949, daughter of Mary Ann and Donald Kelly.  She graduated from Pascack Valley High School in Bergen County, New Jersey.  She earned a Bachelor's Degree at Western College (no Miami University) in Oxford, Ohio, before working as a paralegal in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Denver.

In Denver, Kelly completed an internship in the Mountain Bell Foundation and became the charter executive director of the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation.  She earned a Master's Degree at Regis University, and had other nonprofit management roles.  A pioneer in nonprofit administration, Kelly served for over a decade as a professor of social studies at Metropolitan State Universitu of Denver (MSUD).  She was known as a passionate advocate of social equality.

Also in Denver, Kelly married David Felice in 1990.  The couple maintained an historic "Denver Square" home, and became deeply involved in community affairs.  They traveled extensively in North America, Europe, Australlia, and Hawai'i.  THey also adopted several West Highland White Terriers over time.

In 2017, with David, Kelly retired and relocated to Whidbey Island, Washington.  She volunteered with Old Dog Haven, helping senior dogs in need.  David still lives in their home overlooking the Puget Sound.  Her sister, Maryette Allen, lives in suburban Denver.