Obituary for Kelly Ann Dodge
Kelly Ann Dodge passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 20, 2023. Taken well before her time, but certainly not without making a profound impact on all those lucky enough to share her company throughout her short 39 years.
Kelly was born on May 16, 1984 in Billerica, MA to James and Patrice Dodge, and became the younger sister to her brother and hero, Edward. In elementary school she moved to Springfield, VT. Rather than embracing the skills she learned at tennis camp via her Aunt Janice, she instead spent her formative years getting into mischief with Nathaniel and Shirray. After graduating Windsor High School, Kelly attended Clark University, where she spent equal time on her Communications major and whiling away the hours with her chosen family, Allison, Jessi, and Kamaria. She then went on to work at Framingham Psychiatric Counseling and Framingham Psychiatric Care with her partner in crime, Debbie.
Her love of cats, bargains, and all celebrities named Kelly was only matched by her love of being an Auntie. She always looked forward to spending time with Ed, sister-in-law turned “Sis” Jess, and nephews Grady and Caden. It was during these visits she mastered her ATV driving skills and developed an affinity for being shepherded around on the family pontoon boat. Serving as the golf cart chauffeur on Halloween in Billerica was always a highlight of her year.
While by no means a hobbyist, she spent her time doing what she loved. Kelly was a fervent supporter of the local drag community, and never turned down an opportunity to catch a show with Sarah and Tom. She loved spending weeks on the Cape with the Clark girls, where she made them laugh until they couldn’t breathe. And her, what she would refer to as, “refined palate” was used to guide her to sample various local craft brews with Tricia and on epic road trips to “exotic” food locales with her much-loved cousin, Dill.
Kelly’s humorous perspectives and habits are what many will miss most; she could spin a yarn, and never allowed facts to get in the way; she was a creature of habit - she would drive an extra 30 minutes on the Pike rather than venture on unknown side roads and never deviated from her middle school signature scent, CK One; a living contradiction, she would spare no time and expense switching her tires for the respective seasons, but would drive over speed bumps with such reckless abandon as to blow out her hubcaps.
Yet, her effortless humor, though profound and unforgettable, was triumphed still by her warmth. Kelly was kind, reliable, and always willing to offer her help to any and everyone. And she gave the best hugs.
While Kelly is missed beyond words, we all have comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her best friend and mother, Pat, and beloved cat, Ralphie. We are confident Kelly is now pouring glasses of red wine with ice cubes for her and Pat to share, making her mom laugh, and delivering so many off color remarks as to drive Pat to bellow, “Kelly. Ann. Dodge!”
Kelly is preceded in death by her mother, Pat. She is survived by her father, Jimmy; brother Ed and sister-in-law Jess; brother Mike Foley and his wife Hannah; sister Taryn Saunders and her husband Steve; sisters Allison Kiely, Jessi Lee Gratz, and Kamaria Moore-Hollis; nephews Grady, Caden, and Cameron; nieces Maddison and Mare; many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
A celebration of life for Kelly will be held on Friday, May 3rd from 6 to 10 PM at the Billerica Elks.
Kelly was born on May 16, 1984 in Billerica, MA to James and Patrice Dodge, and became the younger sister to her brother and hero, Edward. In elementary school she moved to Springfield, VT. Rather than embracing the skills she learned at tennis camp via her Aunt Janice, she instead spent her formative years getting into mischief with Nathaniel and Shirray. After graduating Windsor High School, Kelly attended Clark University, where she spent equal time on her Communications major and whiling away the hours with her chosen family, Allison, Jessi, and Kamaria. She then went on to work at Framingham Psychiatric Counseling and Framingham Psychiatric Care with her partner in crime, Debbie.
Her love of cats, bargains, and all celebrities named Kelly was only matched by her love of being an Auntie. She always looked forward to spending time with Ed, sister-in-law turned “Sis” Jess, and nephews Grady and Caden. It was during these visits she mastered her ATV driving skills and developed an affinity for being shepherded around on the family pontoon boat. Serving as the golf cart chauffeur on Halloween in Billerica was always a highlight of her year.
While by no means a hobbyist, she spent her time doing what she loved. Kelly was a fervent supporter of the local drag community, and never turned down an opportunity to catch a show with Sarah and Tom. She loved spending weeks on the Cape with the Clark girls, where she made them laugh until they couldn’t breathe. And her, what she would refer to as, “refined palate” was used to guide her to sample various local craft brews with Tricia and on epic road trips to “exotic” food locales with her much-loved cousin, Dill.
Kelly’s humorous perspectives and habits are what many will miss most; she could spin a yarn, and never allowed facts to get in the way; she was a creature of habit - she would drive an extra 30 minutes on the Pike rather than venture on unknown side roads and never deviated from her middle school signature scent, CK One; a living contradiction, she would spare no time and expense switching her tires for the respective seasons, but would drive over speed bumps with such reckless abandon as to blow out her hubcaps.
Yet, her effortless humor, though profound and unforgettable, was triumphed still by her warmth. Kelly was kind, reliable, and always willing to offer her help to any and everyone. And she gave the best hugs.
While Kelly is missed beyond words, we all have comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her best friend and mother, Pat, and beloved cat, Ralphie. We are confident Kelly is now pouring glasses of red wine with ice cubes for her and Pat to share, making her mom laugh, and delivering so many off color remarks as to drive Pat to bellow, “Kelly. Ann. Dodge!”
Kelly is preceded in death by her mother, Pat. She is survived by her father, Jimmy; brother Ed and sister-in-law Jess; brother Mike Foley and his wife Hannah; sister Taryn Saunders and her husband Steve; sisters Allison Kiely, Jessi Lee Gratz, and Kamaria Moore-Hollis; nephews Grady, Caden, and Cameron; nieces Maddison and Mare; many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
A celebration of life for Kelly will be held on Friday, May 3rd from 6 to 10 PM at the Billerica Elks.