Leslie (Rhone) Kelly

Leslie Carolyn (Rhone) Kelly

March 8, 1957 – June 15, 2025

Leslie Kelly of Prospect, CT, age 68, born on March 8, 1957, in Lowville, NY, to David and Joanne (Rudnik) Rhone, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by loved ones, on June 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Leslie was the loving wife of Frank J. Kelly, to whom she was married for 38 years. Among Leslie’s greatest accomplishments were being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Leslie graduated from Indian River Central School in 1975 and earned her associate’s degree from North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, NY, where she was awarded her degree in Science and Applied Science in their Radiology Technology Program.  Leslie built her reputation as a skilled X-ray tech, working for many hospitals and doctors’ offices in the Connecticut area. She was very crafty, and if you were lucky to have been given one of her quilts, then you know the level of beauty that she was able to create with a needle and thread. Leslie also loved cooking, crocheting, drawing, painting in watercolor, pottery, swimming, and camping with her family. She believed that “the joy of the Lord is her strength.”

Left to cherish Leslie’s love and memories are her husband, Frank J. Kelly; their daughter, Janel Kelly DiTondo; her son-in-law, Mark John DiTondo; and her two beautiful granddaughters, Olivia (2) and Avery (3 months) DiTondo. Leslie is also survived by her loving brothers and sisters: Helene Blount, David (Akiko) Rhone, Denise Rhone, Lynn (Charles) Schweinsberg, and Michael (Annie) Rhone. Leslie was deeply loved by her many nieces and nephews, notably Jon and Amy Washburn.

The family would like to thank Dana Farber Hospital, Midstate Medical Center, Hartford HealthCare Hospice, and Leslie’s sisters and niece for their unwavering love and support.

Arrangements are being coordinated by the family for a memorial service at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 33 Center Road, Woodbridge, CT, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Leslie’s favorite color was red, and she asked that attendees dress in cheerful, bright colors and share happy memories together in her honor. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

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