Therese Eleanor Kelley Leisy

Therese Eleanor Kelley (TEK) Leisy, formerly of Bethesda, MD transitioned from this earthly life to eternal life surrounded by family on Monday, July 3, 2023 following a short illness in Marietta, GA. She was born May 23, 1926 in Greensburg, PA, one of nine children of U.S. Congressman Augustine B. Kelley and Ella Bates Kelley. She was graduated from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in 1944 and attended George Washington University, The Catholic University of America and Abbott Art School in Washington, D.C. She was employed in various medical office positions at Georgetown Hospital and later a private dermatology practice. She also worked on Capitol Hill in the office of her father, Rep. Augustine Kelley (D-PA). She married the love of her life, Roland (Hank) Leisy, a USAF pilot in 1953 and was devoted to him for each of their 56 years of marriage. She is survived by their five children: Dr. Robert (Patricia) of West Des Moines, IA; Mary Petrowski (Michael) of Charlotte, NC; William (Claire) of Rosemary Beach, FL; James (Joyce) of Chattanooga, TN; Ann Penner Strubel (Joseph) of Monaco; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson. She is also survived by her youngest brother James R. Kelley of Greensburg, PA; sister-in-law Therese R. Kelley (Regis) of Bethesda, MD and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Hank, her parents, brothers: Regis, Hilary, Richard, Robert, Paul and sisters Kathleen Schellenberg and Marcella Brown. A devout Catholic, she was devoted to her family and the Blessed Mother. TEK was a steady, sturdy influence in the lives of her children. She valued education and encouraged them to pursue and complete their college educations. Her creative and artistic nature included ceramics, knitting (her “therapy”) and later crocheting. A beautiful quality was evident in her handiwork, i.e., sweaters, coats, afghans which she lovingly gave away to others. TEK, also delighted in the beauty of orchids. An avid baker, she kept a large supply of homemade bread on hand and was still making pizzelles months prior to her death. “Food is love,” and there was always plenty on hand. Curious by nature, when the computer age hit, she eagerly adopted new technologies ultimately texting with her grandchildren well into her nineties. For recreation she played both tennis and golf at Congressional Country Club which led her to volunteer at several local PGA tournaments. Coming from a political family she maintained an interest in national politics and prior to her illness read the Washington Post online. TEK showed great interest in others and retained a remarkably accurate memory of events in people’s lives even to the end. This combined with her good sense of humor and intellectual curiosity made TEK a most enjoyable conversationalist whether you just met her or knew her for years. She will be greatly missed. The family thanks Sandra Campbell and Janet Eveland for their kindness and caring in the past several years, all the staff at Sterling Estates-West Cobb Retirement Community especially Laura Weems, RN and the caring nurses and staff of Agape Hospice. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at a date to be determined. The Rite of Committal and burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA alongside Hank at a later date. Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home, Marietta, GA is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, 5817 Old Leads Rd. Irondale, AL 35210 or the charity of one’s choice.

Therese Eleanor Kelley Leisy

May 23, 1926 - July 3, 2023