Joan T. Kelly, nee Barrett, age 85, of Skokie, died July 20, 2019 at the Sedgebrook of Lincolnshire.  She was born June 20, 1934 in Oak Park, IL to Charles and Catherine Monroe Barrett.  Joan attended St. Ignatius School, St. Scholastica Academy as well as Mundelein College. She married the love of her life Robert A. Kelly on January 16, 1952, and together raised four children, who provided them with seven grandchildren.

Joan flourished as a volunteer and shared her talents, creativity, and leadership skills throughout her adult life. Joan had a real passion for flowers, gardening and teaching her learned skills with others. She became heavily involved in Garden Club when she began as the Junior Garden Club Leader. Helping the Juniors win several awards at garden club shows, Joan eventually became the President of the Garden Club of Skokie as well as the President of the Garden Club of Illinois. She also served on National Council of State Garden Clubs and was a member of the Rose Society. Serving on the Beautification Commission in the Village of Skokie, Joan gave back to her community and was instrumental in establishing many of the gardens throughout the village. On a more personal level, Joan never stopped learning about horticulture as she studied the mastery of Japanese Flower Arranging (Ikebana) and shared the beauty of those arrangements with her family.

Joan’s smile could light up a room and she brightened the spirits of many as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Sacristan. Along side her husband, she shared her love of God with patients at local hospitals through the Mended Hearts organization.  Joan will be remembered by her family for her determination, love and devotion to her family, friends and community.

Beloved wife of the late Robert A.; dear mother of Robert Jr. (Andrea), Susan (Howard) Cutler, Julianne (Rodney) Sharp and the late John (Gail); loving grandmother of Jessica, Jill (Todd) Van Hoy, Megan, Zach, Cassie, Leo and Sean; fond sister of Mary Gay Stone and the late Charles Barrett, Jr.; dear aunt to many nieces and nephews.  Visitation, Thursday, July 25, 2019, from 4 to 8 p.m., at HABEN Funeral Home & Crematory, 8057 Niles Center Rd., Skokie.  Funeral, Friday, 9:45 a.m., from the funeral home, for Mass, 10 a.m., at St. Peter Catholic Church, 8100 Niles Center Rd., Skokie.  Interment, All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Des Plaines.  Memorial contributions to NorthShore University HealthSystem Foundation, 1033 University Place, Suite 450, Evanston, IL 60201, would be appreciated.  Funeral info: 847.673.6111.