Celine Kelly
A graveside service will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28th, 2026 at St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery. Father David Bruener will officiate.
Celine was born on August 7, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, to Samuel and Marie (Sullivan) Vitalo. She grew up in a close-knit Italian family alongside her beloved brother, Bernard, with her grandmother also sharing the family home. Celine often fondly recalled stories from her childhood—of lifelong friends, spirited aunts who lovingly kept everyone in line, and the traditions that shaped her family. She always spoke of those years with warmth, humor, and gratitude, and they remained some of her favorite memories to share.
On June 30, 1951, she married the love of her life, Edward K. Kelly, in Chicago, Illinois. Together they built a life rooted in friendship, service, generosity, and a deep commitment to the community they called home. After settling in Friendship, Celine and Ed became passionate supporters of the Adams-Friendship community. They were dedicated members of the Adams-Friendship Education Foundation and were instrumental in helping turn the vision of the Adams-Friendship Fine Arts Center into a reality. Their commitment to educational opportunities and the performing arts helped create a lasting legacy that continues to enrich the lives of students and community members today.
Celine believed in giving back. She served on the Aging Advisory Committee, attended the Adams Dining Site for many years, and was among the dedicated members of the Senior Club whose efforts led to the construction of the Adams Community Center. She also generously volunteered with local high school theater productions, encouraging young performers and sharing her love of the arts.
Known for her quick wit, infectious laugh, and spirited personality, Celine had a gift for making people feel welcome. Her sense of humor and spunky nature endeared her to everyone fortunate enough to know her. She loved gathering with friends for meals, faithfully attended Adams-Friendship Middle School band concerts, and rarely missed a performance at the Adams-Friendship Fine Arts Center, where she was a longtime season ticket holder. One of her greatest joys was sharing Sunday evening dinners with a neighborhood family who became family in every way that mattered.
Although Celine’s family circle extended far beyond relatives, her heart was overflowing with love. She treasured the many friendships she built throughout her life and embraced countless people as family. She especially cherished being “Nonna” to Zander and Ryker, a role that brought her immense pride and joy. Her kindness, generosity, unwavering encouragement, and playful spirit touched countless lives, and her legacy will live on through the many people she loved and inspired.
Celine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward K. Kelly; her parents, Samuel and Marie (Sullivan) Vitalo; and her beloved brother, Bernard Vitalo. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, many dear friends who became her chosen family, and countless others whose lives were enriched by her friendship, encouragement, and love.
True to her grateful nature, Celine would have wanted to express her heartfelt appreciation to those who lovingly cared for her during the last several years of her life. Their kindness, friendship, and dedicated care brought her comfort and meant more to her than words could express.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences and additional information may be found at www.roseberrys.com.
Dear Linda and Jim, I am so sorry that at this time of the loss of your mother, your grief is magnified by the omission of your names as daughter and son-in-law in her obituary. We are blessed to call you family.
Linda and Jim, so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your mother led a full life and now will be joining your father, both of whom I remember from your days in Elmhurst. It’s always difficult to lose the one person who should know you the best. My thoughts and prayers are with you both during your grieving.
My heartfelt condolences on Celine’s passing.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to her beloved daughter, Linda, whose name was unfortunately omitted from the obituary. My thoughts are with both Linda and Jim during this difficult time, and I hope they find comfort in the love and support of those who care about them.
Deepest sympathy to family and friends. Especially to her daughter, Linda and husband Jim, whose names are missing in the obituary. How unfortunate during at such a sacred time.
My condolences Linda on the loss of your mother and to Jim on the loss of your mother-in-law.
Really strange how you both were omitted from the obituary.
My condolences Linda on the loss of your mother and Jim on the loss of your mother-in-law as well.
Really odd that your names were omitted from the obit.
To Linda and Jim on the loss of your mother, and mother-in-law. I am thinking of you both and sending a hug and prayers to help get you through this difficult time.May your mother’s passing bring you peace. Hugs and love.
My condolences to her family and friends, but particularly her daughter, who seems to be missing from the obit.
Hoping her dad’s remains gets laid to rest properly and not still stuffed in a closet somewhere.
Linda and Jim, so sorry about the loss of your mother, mother-in-law. I am thinking of you both and sending a hug to help get you through these days. May your mother’s memory be a blessing. Hugs and love.
My condolences to her family and friends, particularly her daughter, who seems to be missing from the obit.
Rest in Peace, Celine. You were quite the lady! Vibrant until the end. Your laugh and jokes would enrich even the toughest days. God Bless.
Rest in Paradise Celine! I always enjoyed taking your grocery orders and your sassy attitude. You were a friend indeed.
Rest in peace lovely lady, you will be missed. Condolences to the Curtis family on your loss.
Celine was such a wonderful gal. We were so fortunate she and her husband chose to live in and support our community.
I’ll never forget when I was sometimes short with her, busy at the office, she would quickly adjust my attitude with,”The look”. She will be in my thoughts forever.
She was a hula dancing partner of mine and a joy and privilege to know her
Rest in peace Celine and enjoy as many pink squirrels as you like. I’ll never forget that story and many others when we enjoyed Sunday’s supper with the Curless family.
Thanks for all you did to make AF a better place!
It was an honor to have met such a vibrant lovely lady! Though I only knew Celine for three or four months, she shared her story with me, and was a humble and inspiring woman. She lived a life that brought joy to those around her and always had a witty comment with a laugh that one can never forget. She sought peace with God, and knowing her husband and other loved ones were waiting on the other side brought her comfort as I know it did for so many. Rest in paradise sweet Celine, see you again some day.
So many memories…. RIP….. I know you’re back with Ed…..and so many others too! We will miss you.
May you rest in God’s eternal peace, Celine.
Don, susie and David
I’m so sorry for your loss of your sweet aunt Celine my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I was so lucky to have her in my life I will deeply miss her. I loved the story she would tell me. The one that made me laugh was she was going to become a cna . She change her mind cause she didn’t want to change bed pans.
She definitely will be missed. Her and her husband were amazing people. Prayers to her family 💖. Her humor will be missed.
Such a fun person. I knew her when I worked at Allied and her and Ed moved over to Hwy 13 she as a special lady.
I will miss our phone calls , usually twice a week. What a wonderful Aunt you have been. So many fun memories, like when you rode the go carts along side of my brothers, with curlers in your hair! When I got engaged (too young, you said) you always brought something for my Hope chest every time you and uncle Ed came out for the weekends. You will never be forgotten!!! I will miss you.
We will miss Celine. She was an amazing lady. I will miss her humor and all her stories.
Celine was a generous lady who loved her community. Rest in peace, dear lady. Theresa and Dennis David
So sorry for your loss.. she was quite the lady.. she always made me laugh and she was a sweet lady.. you will be missed..
So sorry for your loss. Celine was a wonderful lady & will b missed by so many. Prayers to the family.
I met Celine when she would come into Allied to prepay for her propane. What a firecracker she was and genuinely a beautiful soul. RIP Celine
Sending prayers to those that loved Celine. May she rest in peace.