Obituary of Edna M. Kelly

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend Edna Marie Kelly, 71, of Rome, was called home on December 4, 2023 after living with multiple myeloma for nearly a decade. Born June 15, 1952, she was a lifelong resident of Rome. She attended high school at St. Anne’s in Albany and later became a certified nurse’s aide. Edna worked for two decades in local nursing homes and in home health care. During this time, she raised her three children as a single parent – instilling a strong work ethic and encouraging them to dream big. She would tell you her children were her greatest accomplishment. 

Edna was self-reliant and could fix anything! She could make something beautiful from nothing – from cooking to home décor. She had amazing personal style, was creative and inventive, and this was apparent in the pride she took in herself and in maintaining her home. Edna could burn up the dance floor and music was always present in her life. In later years, she enjoyed gardening, visiting with family, and relished the food and festivities at Turning Stone – her happy place! She loved a good rum and coke and never left the house without her signature gold hoop earrings. Those who knew her would describe her as strong, beautiful, opinionated and one of a kind; she was a force to be reckoned with – even in her final days.  

She was fortunate to have been part of a large family. Surviving are her children: daughter Elia Canalda Imler and son-in-law John (granddaughter Lily) of Richmond, Va., son Juan Canalda III and daughter-in-law Veronica (granddaughters Ashley and Adrianna) of Houston, Tex., and son Richard Canalda (grandson Emiliano) of Rome. She has four surviving sisters: Brenda (Kevin) Ford of Staten Island, Ellen (Will) Johnson, of Abilene, Tex., Agnes (Richard) Smith-Brown of Rome, and Amelia (Ralph) Prado of Willingboro, N.J.; and four brothers: Leland (Melita) Cagwin of Rutherfordton, N.C., James (Ruth) Race of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Charles Smith of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Robert Jordan of Abilene, Tex. She was married to Norman Kelly for more than 25 years. She was predeceased by her mother, Geraldine Reader-Williams and a sister, Linda McHugh.  

Edna’s children would like to express gratitude to their mom’s oncologist, Dr. Atul Butala, who treated her since her diagnosis. She spoke highly of him and developed a strong bond with his team. The family also extends deep appreciation to Pat Stacy and his fiancée Sara Mateo for their unwavering support, assistance, and love over the last several years; Pat, mom cherished you as her own son. They would also like to thank the many nurses, caregivers, family and friends, who over the last several weeks, have provided compassionate care, delivered meals, cooked, visited, called and sent well wishes as Edna entered her final journey.

Family and friends are invited to call at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc. 418 N. George St. on Friday, December 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church, 200 N. James Street. Interment will take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.