Stacey Joy Kelly obituary is viewable via this https://heyzine.com/flip-book/b3a1e76623.html

Stacey Joy Kelly was born on December 20, 1961, to Trudy E. Kelly and Raymond D. Kelly in Boston, Massachusetts. She was raised in Roxbury, where her family home on Townsend Street – the bridge between her past and present –truly kept her grounded, while giving her the courage to keep moving forward.

Stacey was the only grandchild of her beloved "Nunna," Ruth Campbell, who nurtured and pampered her as she blossomed into a bright and beautiful child. Her Nunna, who never missed a trip to browse the racks at Jordan Marsh or Filene's, made sure her granddaughter was always adorned in lovely outfits!

Stacey was a student in the METCO program, who attended school in Swampscott for both elementary and middle school before completing high school in the Natick school system. Her love of architecture began in high school, and she often dreamed of designing something grand for the Boston skyline! Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, she has always strived to learn and grow. With her bachelor's degree in human services, Stacey pursued a variety of certification programs over the years, continually expanding her skills and expertise. Most recently, in December 2025, she achieved a new milestone by becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, a testament to her dedication and lifelong commitment to personal and professional growth.

Though her parents separated when she was young, Stacey shared a deep bond with her father. The connection that was forged in those early years never subsided and one summer, as a young teen who missed her daddy, Stacey's adventurous spirit was born. She convinced a friend to travel with her by Greyhound to visit him in New York and after searching her mom's room for her dad's address, she and her friend were off to the Big Apple - embodying the courage and independence that would define her life. And this was Stacey! She would get that itch and be gone!

Stacey, a true water child, traced her lifelong love of the water back to Maine – that's where her Nunna was from, and where her love for the water developed. Having spent much of her summers with her mom and Nunna there, water, all bodies -lakes, ponds, oceans – it didn't matter; she found solace and peace in these spaces.   Stacey could lay on a beach for hours, reading, sleeping and talking with her God. She loved being in and around the water! Her mother once fondly recalled, "I never had any problem getting Stacey to the beach - but trying to get her off the beach was a nightmare!"

Stacey had a natural gift for connecting with people - her warm, inviting smile and kind spirit drew others in, and with the true gift of gab, she could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger with ease. A seeker of truth and meaning, she visited many churches over the years and lived her faith in one God and one Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Throughout her life, Stacey was deeply committed to helping others, dedicating decades of service to caring for individuals and families facing some of life's greatest challenges. Her work spanned health care, social services, and domestic violence advocacy. She served as a CNA  and Home Health Aide, providing hands-on care, companionship, and support to seniors and individuals with disabilities. As a case manager and advocate, she assisted survivors of domestic violence through crisis intervention, housing support, counseling, and access to essential resources. Her career included leadership in rehousing programs, mental health services, and community-based advocacy initiatives, as well as training and supporting volunteers and healthcare providers. Known for her empathy, dedication, and tireless advocacy, she made a lasting difference in the lives of countless individuals and families she served.

Above all else, Stacey was a devoted mother to five children - Nicole, Nikiay, CJ, Kendall, and Isaiah - pouring her heart into each of them, they all brought her endless joy. She was a cherished grandmother to seven grandchildren, who were the center of her world, and she enjoyed every moment spent with them, offering love, guidance, and unwavering support.

Much like her adventurous youth, Stacey embraced life boldly. She moved to Florida three times, once with no plan, simply trusting in prayer and her ability to create a home for herself and her children. She found work, secured housing, and built a life for her family, demonstrating the resilience and resourcefulness that defined her. But Boston… Boston, was always her cornerstone. She never seemed to feel fully at home anywhere - except on Townsend Street – that was until she nestled in her quiet Newton neighborhood, surrounded by woods and wildlife… There, Stacey finally found a sense of peace and comfort in her townhouse - a small, cherished corner of the world she could truly call her own.

Stacey loved all things art! Always with a ball of yarn and a crochet hook in her bag, she would create a blanket, hat or mittens for anyone who was about to give birth! Creating scarves and table mats, spending time with coloring books, drawing and buying anything with palm trees on it. (This is how she kept Florida close to her). Her creativity knew no bounds! She didn't have one particular genre of art; she loved it all! Creating vision boards, crafting, sprouting beauty from discarded pieces, making jewelry, finding several uses for seashells and watching interior decorating and house makeover shows for hours - art was part of her spirit. She also loved flea markets and yard sales -spending hours rummaging through bins and boxes for that special…whatever.

Before its closing The Christmas Tree Shop and Building 19 were some of her favorite places to shop. Buying gifts for people whose birthdays were often months away, she never left unsatisfied. With turquoise and teal being two of her favorite colors, shopping for coastal furnishings allowed her to keep sights and scenes of the ocean landscape in and around her home. She truly found happiness in crafting and home improvement projects.

Upon her retirement, Stacey's mom, Trudy (or "Kiss Kiss" as she was affectionately known), bought a small space on the Cape. The family would escape every summer to spend time together there. Leaving the hardness of the city was truly one her greatest joys!

The city did, however, have a way of winning her heart. Lambert's Deli was a favorite playground for her sweet tooth, and she could never resist the lure of a Dunkin' Donuts treat. Anna's Taqueria was another delight she eagerly answered every invitation to, savoring each bite with the kind of gratification that made every visit feel like a little celebration.

Although Stacey had a deep love for the ocean, warm summer breezes, and lazy days on the beach, she also cherished the Christmas season. She loved decorating, piling the kids into the car for light-hunting adventures, and exploring neighborhoods for the most colorful and creative displays. Even picking out wrapping paper brought her joy.  Some years, she and her cousin would gather the children and go caroling through the neighborhood, filling the season with music and laughter.

Stacey Joy Kelly was a complex, beautiful soul who lived fully, loved deeply, and touched all who knew her. She often talked about the movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back, sharing her dream of going to Jamaica and living that bold, joyful life just like Stella - out loud and unapologetically.

Stacey's personality was like a kaleidoscope - brilliant, ever-shifting, and endlessly captivating. Each turn revealed a new facet of her - playful, thoughtful, daring, tender - each one shining with its own light. Her energy flowed effortlessly from one passion to the next, weaving together moments of laughter, warmth, and wonder. Being with her was like witnessing a living work of art, vibrant and unpredictable, leaving everyone around her enchanted by the beauty of her ever-changing colors.

Stacey passed away unexpectedly on January 4, 2026, and was greeted at Heaven's gate by her parents, and son, CJ.

To forever cherish her memory, she leaves behind her four children, Trudy 'Nicole' Kelly, Nikiay Joy Kelly, Kendall Bre-Aire Reynolds, and Isaiah Elijah Joseph. Grandchildren, Lexus Kelly, Jah'ray Kelly, Nikko Kelly, Na'Leah Reynolds, Nyoki Kelly Galvao, Adrian Rosado Joseph, and Noble Kelly Galvao. Siblings, Lisa Monteiro, Lauren Monteiro, Cleopatra Davis, Brian Garcia, Julian Toon and Danielle DuBois. Son-in law, Carlos Galvao two daughter in-laws, Brianna Jackson and JenaMarie Figueroa as well as bonus grandchildren, Alanni Figueroa, Khamir Mena, and Sofia Plaza.  Nephews, Thomas DuBois and Aidan DuBois; Aunt, Patricia "Patty" Holtzclaw, cousin, Louray Barton and best friend, Marjorie Mills. Stacey also leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, extended family and friends, all of whom will miss her forevermore.

Stacey Joy Kelly: Perfectly imperfect...