OWLS HEAD — Carole Talmage Kelly passed away peacefully at the age of 86 surrounded by her loving family on March 13, 2023 at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine after a period of declining health. Born in Brooklyn, New York, July 25, 1936, she was the youngest child of Grace Scheideler Talmage and Arthur E. Talmage and the sister of Joseph M. Talmage, who all predeceased her.
She grew up in Brooklyn and spent her childhood summers in Saville on New York’s Long Island with her parents, brother and grandparents. She spoke often of the good times she had there with her family and friends. She was educated at Good Shepherd School and attended St. Francis and St. Agnes Seminary, graduating in 1954.
She met the love of her life, William J. Kelly, while still in high school when a friend set them up on a blind date. They married on September 14, 1957 at Good Shepard Church in Brooklyn and had a happy 47 year marriage until his passing in 2005. They enjoyed many wonderful vacations with family and friends, particularly those to Bermuda, Ireland and the Mediterranean. Together they had four children, Grace Kelly Puckett and her husband Joseph of South Thomaston, William J. Kelly Jr., Carole Kelly Wright and her husband Rick, all of Owls Head and Sean P. Kelly and his wife Darcy of Rockport; five grandchildren, William J. Kelly III, Michaela L. Wright, Declan M. Wright, Adelaide P. Kelly and Lydia G. Kelly. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother who always went above and beyond for her family.
She is survived by her sister in law, Marie P. Talmage, and her three sons and a cousin, Kenneth Donovan and his wife and their son, as well as other extended family.
She discovered Maine with her husband and children while traveling to Campobello Island for summer vacations. Together they fell in love with the mid coast and dreamed of someday moving to Camden and operating their own business. In 1977, that dream became a reality and they purchased The Talbot House, a gift shop that offered a variety of lovely items, which she enjoyed running for several years. After closing the gift shop, she went to work at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in the Human Resources Department. She loved the work environment there and treasured the friendships she established with her co-workers and their families. She retired in July of 1998, the week her first granddaughter was born.
In 1987 she and her husband built their dream home on Appleton Ridge where they lived until his passing. Shortly thereafter she was fortunate to find a home in Owls Head near her daughter and son in law and their children where she lived the remainder of her days. Sharing that home with her eldest son and for a time, her eldest grandson, who she helped to raise. She felt so fortunate that all of her children shared her love of Maine and lived close by. They visited often and sometimes brought their dogs, Baxter and Chelsea along, which she loved.
