Clarise Kelly

Clarise Melander Kelly, 77, of Cromwell, formerly of New Britain, died Wednesday at Pilgrim Manor in Cromwell surrounded by her family. She was the widow of John H. "Jack" Kelly. Born in New Britain, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Beatrice Anderson Melander. She was a New Britain resident most of her life before moving to Cromwell in 1996. Clarise retired from Fafnir Bearing Co. where she was a secretary. She was a lifelong member of Bethany Covenant Church in Berlin where she enjoyed singing in the choir and was a member of Covenant Women. Surviving are her four sons and daughters-in-law, Roger J. Kelly of Southington, Donald M. Kelly and his wife Frances of Durham, Daniel H. Kelly and his wife Nancy of New Britain, Richard H. Kelly and his wife Lori of New Britain, two sisters, Grace Wennberg and her husband Roy of Kensington, Cynthia Melander of Southington, her eight grandchildren, Michael, David, Tyler, Ryan, Benjamin, Ian, Jamie and Aaron, a brother-in-law Lincoln Carlson of Cromwell and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Shirley Carlson. Funeral services will be held of Friday at 10:00 am at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St., Berlin. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours will be tonight from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St. New Britain. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Benevolent Care Fund at CVOC, 52 Missionary Rd., Cromwell, CT 06416.