Catherine Laura (Bowman) Kelley
August 26, 1948 – December 9, 2020
Catherine (Cathy) Kelley passed away peacefully at age 72 on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, after a prolonged fight with respiratory issues, including COVID-19, and after an extended stay in the ICU at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. While her spirit was strong, her body had become frail, so the Lord called her home.
Cathy was predeceased by her parents, Raymond D. Bowman and Gladys J. (Grew) Bowman, as well as her daughter-in-law Kathleen (Berrigan) Kelley, and son-in-law Bruce A. Jensen Jr. She is survived by her loving spouse of 51 years, Joseph C. Kelley II, children Patricia A. (Kelley) Jensen, Joseph C. Kelley III, and Karen T. (Kelley) Rasnick, grandchildren Morgan C. Rasnick and Victoria R. Jensen, brothers Thomas R. Bowman, and William A. Bowman and his spouse Nikilette Bowman, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.”
Cathy was surrounded by her immediate family shortly before her passing. She was bathed in love and comfort by those in attendance, both in person and virtually. It was a testimony to how she’s touched so many lives that there were an abundance of loved ones who wanted to be by her side at the end.
Cathy’s journey began in Barnstable, MA, where she was born, and she has lived in several southeastern Massachusetts towns throughout her life, including Waltham, Wayland, Framingham, Medway, Raynham, and many years in Brockton. Cathy was a long-time member of the American Legion Auxiliary, attended the First Church of West Bridgewater whenever she could, and was an avid nature enthusiast and bird watcher. You could often find Cathy looking up into the sky or into the trees or brush, trying to identify the owner of either a flash of color she glimpsed out of the corner of her eye or the snippet of birdsong she thought she heard.
A lifelong New Englander, she also loved whales, seashells, and lighthouses. Other passions included philately, Star Trek, blue glass, blue delft pottery, Irish porcelain and crystal, thimbles, bells, candles, wind chimes, Coca Cola, movies and movie memorabilia, Superman, and many more things which came with collectables. As a result, she had a copious amount of those collectables. Another testament to her personality and “never waste anything” attitude is the fact that many of those collections included rather imperfect, yet still adored, pieces.
After graduating Wayland High School in 1966, Cathy’s first job was as a data input clerk at Dennison Manufacturing in Framingham. The money she earned there went towards buying both her first car (a 1949 Oldsmobile for only $125) and her first pet of many, Sir Francis (a miniature Dachshund who cost twice as much as the car!). She enjoyed representing Fuller Brush and Avon products, and also delivered TV Facts across Norfolk County (back before we had on-screen guides). She briefly held a government position with the Census Bureau in 1980, served as a bookkeeper for M Berman & Son Wholesaler and Melhado’s Wholesaler for many years, and was a long-standing exhibitor at the Rainbow Flea Market. The flea market is where Kelley’s Auction was born, her most recent business endeavor with her own personal Superman, her husband Joe, whom she met through another passion from early in life, CB Radio. They gained many close friends through the auction over the years, whom she treasured greatly.
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand
An angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand
The angel said my place was ready
In Heaven far above
And that I’d have to leave behind
All those I dearly love
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today
While thinking of the many things
We didn’t get to say
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
And each time you think of me
I know you’ll miss me too
When I walked through Heaven’s gate
I knew I’d never be alone
For God looked down and smiled at me,
And told me, “Welcome Home”
So when tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart
For every time you think of me
I’m right here in your heart
(David Romano, edited, condensed)