Obituary of Elizabeth Kelly

Elizabeth Dickey Kelly age 70, of Tucson, AZ died on December 15, 2015. Born November 19, 1945 in Green Bay, WI, raised in Oconto and Milwaukee, the daughter of Robert and Mary Maloney Dickey (deceased). Survived by her husband, Patrick Kelly; a sister, Ellen Daly, of Milwaukee and a brother, Robert Dickey, Jr. (Heather Hoppe) of Norman, OK, as well as many nieces and nephews. She held a BSN from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an MPH from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Family Nurse Practitioner certification from the Frontier Nursing University, Hyden, KY. Her career was unique and varied. She began nursing in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps (1966-71), serving in California and Alaska. After obtaining her nurse practitioner credentials, she resumed her commission with the U.S. Public Health Service (1974-94), retiring as Captain, USPHS. During her PHS years she served with the National Health Service Corps as a solo nurse practitioner in two rural clinics—Jemez Springs, NM and Plains, GA. Then, after eight years in a headquarters position in Seattle, WA helping establish similar clinics in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, she transferred to the Indian Health Service, which brought her to the Tucson area and back into clinical work. She relished her work with Indian communities across the country. Elizabeth traveled extensively domestically and internationally throughout her life. She spent 2002-03 traveling around the world, the highlight of which was circumnavigating Australia solo in a campervan for seven months. Oddly enough, in spite of her travels Elizabeth met her soulmate in Tucson—the boy next door, so to speak. She and Patrick shared a love of travel, a special bond, and an all too short love affair. It was the first marriage for both. Patrick became her devoted caregiver. It was the great last chapter to a wonderful life. Patrick and Elizabeth both extend heartfelt thanks to the Tucson VA oncology nurses and physicians who treated and sustained her with great expertise and exceptional kindness for five years. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel. An Irish Blessing Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal.