Obituary of Donna Kaye Dollens Kelley
Donna Kaye Dollens Kelley left this earthly life on July 11, 2023, to enter the kingdom of heaven, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
She was born April 7, 1944, in Franklin, Indiana to J. Robert Dollens and Viola Ester Dollens, who preceded her in death along with her beloved brother David Dollens, and husband R. Douglas Kelley.
Donna’s early years were spent in Franklin, where she was active in the First Baptist Church. She loved music and singing and spent many years in the church choir. Her parents relocated to Georgia when Donna was a senior in high school. She was a member of the Valdosta High School Class of 1961, as well as a proud “honorary’ member of the Franklin High School class of ’61.
Donna earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Stetson University in Deland, Florida, where she continued to pursue her love of music in the university choir. She also directed a residence hall of 200 freshman women while at Stetson. She was awarded the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for the class of 1965 for excellence in character and service to humanity. Following graduation, Donna returned to Georgia where she taught second graders for a year in the Griffin-Spalding School system.
Donna then pursued a master’s degree at Boston University and received her M.Ed. in Counseling Education. During her time at BU, she served as an Associate Director on the staff for the Dean of Women, where she again oversaw a residence hall that housed nearly 1100 women. Donna also worked as a Student Advisor and Counselor in the office of the Dean of Students.
While at BU, Donna met and married her husband of 54 years, Doug Kelley, in August of 1968. Following graduation, Doug and Donna went to Wellesley, Massachusetts where Donna worked in the Alumni Office at Babson College. The subsequent years involved many moves and saw the birth of her dear children: Kevin, who was born in Doug’s home state of Colorado, and Kristin, who was born in Donna’s home state of Indiana.
During the children’s early years in Franklin, Donna owned and managed TV Facts, a weekly TV Magazine, and devoted herself to her role of mother. By 1995, Donna and her family had lived in Indiana, Tennessee, New York, Florida, Ohio, and Colorado. Donna spent her time working as a substitute teacher, a bookkeeper, and a bookseller, which allowed her time and flexibility to support Kevin and Kristin in their extracurricular activities and scholastic endeavors. She worked extremely hard to inculcate a love of learning and to set an example of honesty and kindness in her children and was a warm and loving ‘friend’s parent’ to all of their many friends.
Donna was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, and wife. She cared deeply for her family and was very proud of her Indiana heritage. She hoped to spend her final years in Franklin, having returned to care for her brother and father before their deaths in 2006 and 2007 respectively, though her grief over the loss of her mother in 2002, followed by her brother and dad within a few years was very painful. Donna returned to Colorado Springs in 2010, where she indulged in her love of literature and the company of the family’s many pets.
Donna weathered the darkness of major depression and later Alzheimer’s Disease, and held fast to the words of Rose Kennedy, who said, “Birds sing after a storm. Why shouldn’t we?”
Donna will be remembered for her sharp wit, her kindness and compassion, her perseverance and the steadfast love and devotion to her family.
Donna is survived by her daughter Kristin; son Kevin; her cousins Bill, Linda, and Carol Dollens of Franklin, Indiana; George Dollens of Columbus, Indiana; Jill Cummings Hinkley of Idaho; and Kim Cummings of Kentucky.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Franklin, Indiana, PO Box 1112, Franklin, Indiana 46131.
Visitation, 11:00AM, Saturday, July 29, 2023, Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 North Morton Street, Franklin, Indiana 46131.
Memorial Service, 12:00PM, Saturday, July 29, 2023, Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 North Morton Street, Franklin, Indiana 46131.
