Donation protected
Harlem has lost one of her Angels!
Maria Kelly, a well-known pillar of the PS/MS 161 Community, was tragically taken from her loved ones last week. Unfortunately, at the hands of domestic violence, her violent death has created a void in the hearts of her family, school, and neighborhood community that will never be replaced.
Maria was loved by so many. Through her tireless efforts to give to all and care for so many, Maria functioned as a bridge between the school and the families of the students it served. She administered health and well-being to all through her words, thoughts, and deeds. Her actions were coated in unadulterated kindness.
Maria understood the life of immigrants in America and she wanted to help. Parents walked into 161 and would ask “Where’s Maria Kelly?” They needed help and they knew she would help them without judging them. They could reveal their need to her and she would give them solace.
“Where’s Maria Kelly?”
Was it a question or a mantra? It has been asked a million times by teachers, principals, parents, students, and visitors who wanted or needed something done.
She started as a parent volunteer at the West Harlem school that she called her home. Contributing for many years as an unpaid staple in the school and much later she became a school aide who basically did it all. Maria managed administrative duties, classroom support, school beautification, and translation. She was a liaison to so many new immigrant transplants to our city, a parent of two amazing children, and a gardening whiz. She arrived every single day before 7am and left after 5pm without fail or any request for appreciation.
She proudly achieved citizenship just a few years ago after great effort and hard work. She loved this country and the opportunities it had given her children and her whole family.
And now that she has been and taken from us, may she rest in peace, but let us be certain that her life wasn’t in vain and let us show the appreciation for these souls who are so quiet, so courageous, and so very beautiful in how they lived their life.
Her children are making their way in the world and are now left with little support and many difficult challenges. Members of the community have asked how they can help so we have created this page to make it easy for people to assist.
Maria Kelly, a well-known pillar of the PS/MS 161 Community, was tragically taken from her loved ones last week. Unfortunately, at the hands of domestic violence, her violent death has created a void in the hearts of her family, school, and neighborhood community that will never be replaced.
Maria was loved by so many. Through her tireless efforts to give to all and care for so many, Maria functioned as a bridge between the school and the families of the students it served. She administered health and well-being to all through her words, thoughts, and deeds. Her actions were coated in unadulterated kindness.
Maria understood the life of immigrants in America and she wanted to help. Parents walked into 161 and would ask “Where’s Maria Kelly?” They needed help and they knew she would help them without judging them. They could reveal their need to her and she would give them solace.
“Where’s Maria Kelly?”
Was it a question or a mantra? It has been asked a million times by teachers, principals, parents, students, and visitors who wanted or needed something done.
She started as a parent volunteer at the West Harlem school that she called her home. Contributing for many years as an unpaid staple in the school and much later she became a school aide who basically did it all. Maria managed administrative duties, classroom support, school beautification, and translation. She was a liaison to so many new immigrant transplants to our city, a parent of two amazing children, and a gardening whiz. She arrived every single day before 7am and left after 5pm without fail or any request for appreciation.
She proudly achieved citizenship just a few years ago after great effort and hard work. She loved this country and the opportunities it had given her children and her whole family.
And now that she has been and taken from us, may she rest in peace, but let us be certain that her life wasn’t in vain and let us show the appreciation for these souls who are so quiet, so courageous, and so very beautiful in how they lived their life.
Her children are making their way in the world and are now left with little support and many difficult challenges. Members of the community have asked how they can help so we have created this page to make it easy for people to assist.
Organizer and beneficiary
JoJo Farrell
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Enmanuel Aponte
Beneficiary