West Conshy Lost an Original. We’ll Miss You Pat Kelly

8/15/2023

by Brian Coll

It used to be a phone call or a knock on the door when someone you knew or cared for passed away, now a days you see something on Facebook and you aren’t sure if something happened. That was the case this week as I saw a tribute or two to a wonderful human being Pat Kelly. Sadly she passed away and these words won’t do her justice.

I feel I had a good childhood; my parents took me to lots of places, on both sides of the bridge! We never left the country or traveled much further than the beaches of Wildwood. However, that was enough for us. We knew a lot of good people on both sides of the bridge. Pat Kelly wasn’t just a good person, she was great. Pat, very much like my parents seemed to be everywhere. We’d see her at a function with the Washington Fire Company (Washies) and then a day later we’d be playing at MacKenzie Park and sure enough she’d be there. Guess what, when my sister Jackie had a dance recital, yup…. Pat was there watching her daughter Robyn (Robyn, we’re thinking of you, your family so sorry)

This year I have been in touch with the mayor of West Conshohocken, Danelle Fournier a few times in regards to West Conshohocken celebrating their sesquicentennial next year. Each time we spoke, I had thoughts of sitting next to Pat and hearing her laugh at some event.

We all like to think wherever we live or wherever we are from is special, and West Conshohocken is. It’s not the hills, it’s not the river, it damn sure isn’t the roadways that pass through. It’s the people. I don’t mean to take anything away from Pat when I say this, because she is part of a special group of women when I think of West Conshohocken. Between Pat, and Nucky DeStefano, Pat Zapien, Jacqui Carracappa these ladies helped raise a generation. Tina Reese and the amazing ladies at George Clay Fire Company. I don’t think there’s been a pancake breakfast when I wasn’t greeted by Kathy Priest-Vernon. There is such a strong backbone to the community there. The MacKenzie Park summer crew, I can still hear box hockey on this side of the bridge on a nice summer day.

I think both sides of the bridge were lucky to have her, and I know we’ll all miss you Pat.

Here is the official obituary:

Obituary of Patricia F. Kelly

Patricia F. Kelly, age 72, of West Conshohocken, PA passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

She was born in Norristown, PA on December 29, 1950, the daughter of the late Carl J. and Virginia L. (Taylor) Zadroga.

She was a lifelong resident of West Conshohocken where she served on the Parks and Recreation Council and was a member of the Hometowners.  She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Washington Fire Co. No. 1 of Conshohocken.  She loved camping friends and family.  Most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.   

She was the wife of the late John  J. Kelly, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Robyn Dronitsky and son, John J. Kelly, III (Courtney), both of West Conshohocken; three grandchildren, Amber, Madison and Zack; and many nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Mary Zadroga, Thomas Zadroga, Carl Zadroga, and Michael Zadroga.  

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, August 17, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428.  A prayer service will follow at 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home.  

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.