Marylin Kelly, Formerly Of Southampton, Dies February 12

Marylin (Majkowski) Kelly, formerly of Southampton, died peacefully on February 12, surrounded by her sons, after a long battle with cancer. She was 76.

Kelly began and completed her life near the ocean. She was born to Mary (Flak) and Edward Majkowski in Southampton. While at Southampton High School, she played clarinet in the band and roving guard on the basketball team and was selected as an American Field Service International Scholar traveling to Colombia.

The grandchildren of Polish immigrants on both parents’ sides, Kelly and her brother, Jon Majkowski, were the first in their family to attend college. Her high school academic achievements were honored with a Regent’s scholarship to attend Cortland College, where she was active in the Nu Sigma Chi sorority and earned a degree in elementary education.

She worked as a school teacher before staying home to raise three children. Later, she returned to education as a learning disabilities tutor before embarking on a career as an auditor for the State of Ohio, rising to audit manager before retiring to New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Her children remember her as a devoted and loving mother who created magical holiday traditions, including elaborate dinners served on fine china, homemade Halloween costumes, and birthday cakes in any shape her kids could imagine.

“In all aspects of her life,” said one of her children, “her values as a teacher shone through. In her parenting, she was patient, forgiving, and encouraging. Throughout her life, she found value in all people, sought to understand the perspectives of others, and was ready to offer support when it was needed. And she absolutely adored her grandkids, who called her Babchi, which is Polish for grandma. She made them feel seen, appreciated, and respected, and she loved visits with grandkids more than anything. Her priorities were always clear in her words and actions: family, education, and dear friends.”

In accordance with her wishes, services were held privately by the family and Kelly’s ashes were scattered on the ocean near New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

She is survived by her three sons and their spouses, Scott and Yuko Kelly, Matt Kelly and Amy Goltz, and Brian Kelly and Caitlin Sticco; her four grandsons, Andrew, Ben, Quinn, and Logan Kelly; her sister-in-law, Berna Majkowski; and her two nephews, Ed Majkowski and David Majkowski (and spouse Kim). She was predeceased by her brother, Jon Majkowski, and her faithful dog, Elsa.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends that those interested make memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/givehope).