Virginia Kelly

Virginia (Gini) Kelly, 82, passed away peacefully March 30, 2025, at her home in Haymarket, Virginia. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Park Valley Church, Haymarket on Thursday, April 10 at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow at the Regency at Dominion Valley clubhouse, Haymarket, VA. Born in Stanford, Connecticut, to Italian parents, Virginia spent her early years living in a home with her extended relatives. She had many fond memories of watching her father play in his band, Sunday dinners of Italian delights and homemade wine, the backyard garden that her grandparents tended, and watching her mother sew and embroider one-of-a-kind pieces. Those childhood years gave birth to her passion for family, music, sewing, gardening and entertaining. Playing the piano and supporting local arts, following in her mother’s footsteps by sewing for her home and family, touring gardens and then trying to recreate things she saw in her own yard, and hosting gatherings and big meals all gave her immense joy. Gini attended the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she earned her bachelor’s in mathematics. While at UConn, she had the honor of being named Miss. University of Connecticut. Having not even entered herself into the competition, she was still very proud of this accomplishment. Gini also met the love of her life on campus, Edmund (Ed) Kelly. Ed wanted to see the world and serve his country, and Gini wanted to go where Ed did. Having never left Connecticut before marriage, after their wedding in August of 1966, Ed and Gini hit the road for Brownsville, TX. Ed would serve as a Border Patrol Agent until he got his dream job with the Central Intelligence Agency. Arriving in Brownsville with only their clothes and two folding chairs, Gini began working as an elementary school teacher until it was time to move to Virginia so that Ed could begin his training. This was the first of many moves. Before going overseas, Ed and Gini would welcome their first son, Edmund John (EJ) to the world. Then when Gini was 7 months pregnant with her second son Kevin, the young family headed to Beirut, Lebanon where Kevin was delivered by the King’s doctor. Gini always reminisced about this time with fondness and would joke, saying “what was I thinking having a baby in a foreign country.” Ed’s adventurous spirit had worn off on Gini and they would go on to serve in Russia, Greece and Africa. While overseas, Gini collected many things. Trinkets and collectibles, love of culture and new foods, and amazing once in a lifetime-experiences that made for some great stories. Of course, always shared around a table after a wonderful meal. Once back in the states, Gini went back to school and became a software developer. She worked for the USTA, TRW and finished her career at Lockheed Martin. During these years, while she enjoyed her work, her most important occupation was as wife and mother. She spent much of her time watching her boys play in multiple sports and was always their biggest fan. Ed had himself played football at West Point and was a lifelong Redskins fan. Since all the boys in her life loved football, Gini also became a football aficionado. Football was, after all, another reason to entertain. Ed and Gini finally settled in Virginis, where both EJ and Kevin also settled and had families. EJ served as a VA State Trooper and Kevin became the CEO of multiple companies that serve the US strategic mission. Once fully retired, Gini had time to make many of her grandkid’s events. She approached her role as Nana with the same enthusiasm that she gave to the thing’s that she loved. She watched countless sporting events, dance performances, and school awards and performances. She sewed, cooked and passed on her love of food to her grandkids. Teaching them how to make homemade pasta and her famous crepes. When not occupied with her grandkids, Gini was fully immersed in her community. She was a key member of the Garden Club, the Women’s Club, she used her computer skills to create programs for community performances and events and created a veteran’s book series that honored the service of so many community members. As a wife and mother of those who served, Virginia was a devoted supporter of the Virginia State Police and a cherished friend to many in the law enforcement community. Her unwavering dedication to the well-being of our troopers was evident through her longtime support of the Emergency Relief Fund of the Virginia State Police Association. She was a proud advocate for the mission of the Fund—providing critical financial assistance to troopers and their families during times of unexpected hardship. Each fall, Virginia played an active role in the success of the Emergency Relief Fund’s annual golf tournament fundraiser. Her warm presence and tireless volunteerism made a lasting impact on the event and the many lives it impacts. Virginia is survived by her sister Mary Jo Ottaviano; her son Kevin Kelly; her two daughters-in-law Monica and Katie Kelly; and her grandchildren Thomas and his wife Tori, Michael, Emma, Patrick and McKenna Kelly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years Edmund W. Kelly; her son Edmund J. “EJ” Kelly; and her sister Frances Karcher. In honor of Virginia’s memory and in accordance with her wishes, friends and family are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation to the Emergency Relief and Legal Defense Fund of the Virginia State Police Association (EIN: 54-1383928) in lieu of sending flowers. Online donations can be made online at: https://foundation.vspa.org/donation/ Or may be mailed to: Emergency Relief and Legal Defense Fund Virginia State Police Association 6944 Forest Hill Avenue Richmond, VA 23225 Please note “In Memory of Virginia Kelly” with your gift.

Virginia Kelly

February 17, 1943 - March 30, 2025