PROVIDENCE – Mercy Sister Doris Kelly, 85, a retired social worker, guidance counselor and educator, died Dec. 16 at Berkshire Place.
Born in Fall River, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Edward M. and Amy (Woodley) Kelly. She entered the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, now the Dominican Sisters of Hope, on Aug. 28, 1944 and was professed on Dec. 8, 1950. On July 9, 1994 she transferred to the Sisters of Mercy of Providence.
While a member of the Dominican Sisters, Sister Kelly taught in schools throughout the Northeast, and served as principal of the former Dominican Academy in Fall River from 1968 to 1971. She also taught at the former Bishop Gerard High School in Fall River, and at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, Mass.
Sister Kelly began her ministry as a counselor and school psychologist at St. Vincent's Home in Fall River after she became a Sister of Mercy. In 1992 she became the Director of Social Services at Mount St. Rita Health Centre where she ministered until 1996. She was then transferred to Bishop Feehan High School, where she served as a counselor and school psychologist until 1999. From 1999 to 2002, she ministered as a counselor in the Student Services Department at St. Mary Academy-Bay View until her retirement, during which time she volunteered in various capacities.
She is survived by several cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 21 in Mount St. Rita Chapel. Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland.
