Joan Gilmer Kelly's Obituary
Joan Elizabeth Gilmer Kelly, January 25, 1953-May 17, 2011, daughter of the late William J. Gilmer and Miriam White Gilmer, was a devoted mother, wife, sister and daughter. She is survived by her daughter Erin Elizabeth Maguire of Huntsville AL, by her husband Ernest G. Kelly, Jr. and his daughters Martha and Marian Kelly, by her brother William W. Gilmer and wife Martha of Oak Park, IL and her brother John A. Gilmer and his fiancée Catherine Willner of Collierville. She was also devoted to her nieces Laurel Gilmer of Newark, NJ and Emily Gilmer of Memphis and to her nephews, David, Matthew and Jonathan Gilmer of Oak Park, IL. She was a brilliant artist holding a BFA from the Memphis College of Art. After teaching art in the public schools, she specialized in wood turnings, creating works of pure art as well as lovely useful objects. She showed her work at numerous local and regional fairs and galleries. She won the first place award at this year’s Memphis Association of Craft Artists show. Joan was a graceful and enthusiastic dancer who loved waltzing and contra dance. She was a caller for the Memphis Contra Dancers and delighted them with her skill and charm. She was increasingly in demand as a caller at other cities in the region, and the whole contra community will mourn her loss. Joan loved music, sang in the choir at Balmoral Presbyterian Church, and played the piano regularly at facilities for the elderly. She supported environmental and conservation efforts and loved the outdoors, walking in Overton Park, paddling the Ghost River, and skiing and climbing in the Appalachians. She enjoyed travel in Greece and the British Isles, including a horseback ride across the west of Ireland; a five day hike in England to the source of the Thames; climbing in the hills of the Isle of Skye; and hiking the Samaria Gorge on Crete. Most of all, she loved the unspoiled beaches and the charming historic town of Ocracoke Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The sense of community and the folk music culture of Ocracoke were her delight. It had been a magical place for her from childhood. There will be a memorial service at Balmoral Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 21. The family will receive visitors before the service from 9:30 to 10:30. Memorial gifts will be appreciated at any charity of the donor’s choice. Joan especially valued conservation and environmental causes as well as church-sponsored services for those in need. Friends wishing to honor her personal sacred space can do so by contributing to the Ocracoke Preservation Society on Ocracoke Island, 49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke, NC, 27960.
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