Anita L. Kelly (née Brady)

With her family at her side, Anita left us for a better place on April 14, 2026, just shy of her 89th birthday. Anita was born on the 4th of July to which is attributed her enthusiasm for fireworks, parades, and holiday celebrations. Anita resided mostly in the St Louis area, although she lived briefly as a child in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and while young she often spent time "in the country" with her extended family in mid-Missouri.

Anita was a 1955 graduate of University City High School, a 1958 graduate of St. Luke's School of Nursing and a Registered Nurse. Anita was also a licensed real estate agent.

Anita was an accomplished piano player, a gifted soprano, and a talented artist. She was slated to be President of the choir at Soldan High School before moving to University City. She enjoyed music, literature and gardening. A good mystery was always welcomed. Anita especially treasured her time on the farms of grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This experience fostered her life-long affection for animals, especially horses, which she rode in shows throughout her youth. Anita relished sharing stories of good times with her Grandma Renken in Olean, Missouri, her Grandma Williams, in California, Missouri, and her Uncle Bill Allen and Aunt Helen Dee Allen (née Renken) in Boonville, Missouri.

Anita was 3rd in her nursing school class and voted "Best All-Around Nurse". She had the option following nursing school to become a stewardess with a major airline but chose another path. With the encouragement of her nursing school supervisors, Anita embarked on a career as a surgical nurse. She enjoyed a long affiliation with St Luke's Hospital (both the old East Hospital on Delmar and the current Hospital in Chesterfield). She helped establish and initially headed St Luke West's outpatient surgery department.

Anita genuinely enjoyed others and they enjoyed her. She was a born caretaker and people person. She was instantly likeable and memorable for her ability to put people at ease and give them comfort. Anita was most proud of being there for others. She was a loving and loyal wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, granddaughter, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, godmother, counselor, friend, neighbor, teammate, and co-worker.

Anita was married almost 60 years to James Kelly, who worked in the labor relations industry, including as Regional Director for the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service. Jim passed before Anita in 2018. Anita was also predeceased by her parents, James Brady and Mary Brady (née Renken) and her brother James (Stephen) Brady. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Kelly; her son, David Kelly (Jane); her granddaughters, Katharine (Katie) Kelly (née Higgins) (Quinton) and Jessica Misch (née Kelly) (Matthew); her great-grandchildren Ashley, Audrey, Vera, and Jack; and her sister, Kathy Menees (née Brady) (Charles (Hardy)).

In keeping with her wishes, thanks are given to those who supported Anita in her neighborhood of nearly 60 years, within the Allegro Senior Living community, during her recent hospitalization at Saint Luke's Hospital and otherwise in meeting her social, business, and medical needs. Those deserving of such thanks are too many to recognize individually. Suffice it to say that Anita was truly grateful for the kindness and compassion shown to her by those who crossed her path, especially in her golden years, when she became legally blind due to macular degeneration and was unexpectedly stricken with acute leukemia.

Although gone abruptly and too soon, Anita's was a life well-lived. She will be forever cherished and missed beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Macular Degeneration Association, Blood Cancer United, the Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation at the Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, Fri., May 15, from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. then to St. Monica Church, 12136 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, for 11 a.m. Mass.  Immediately following Mass, a luncheon for family and friends will be held in the Monsignor Schneider Church Hall.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home
www.osfuneralhomes.com