Kathleen "Cassie" Kelly

Kathleen Marie Kelly, 93, passed away at Enloe Hospital on June 26, 2025 after a brief illness. Cassie, as she was known to friends and family, was born on September 13, 1931 to Tobias and Muriel (Lynch) Kelly in Chico, CA. She was the second of their three daughters.

Cassie lived in Chico her entire life, except for two years teaching in the Bay Area. She had deep family roots in Butte County, with all four of her grandparents living in Chico by 1915. Cassie’s life was embraced by the Kelly and Lynch legacies of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Almost without fail, Cassie would run into someone she knew when doing errands around town or attending local events.

Cassie lived in the house her father bought in 1927 and where she and her sisters grew up. Just blocks from Bidwell Park, the Kelly house was the epicenter of family gatherings for decades. Whether it was a holiday, summer BBQ, or luncheon, Cassie hosted everyone with grace, generosity, and the perfect décor for every occasion. In 2022, she moved to The Inn at the Terraces where she enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new ones.

Cassie attended Notre Dame Grammar School and was a life-long member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She graduated from Chico High School in 1949 and went on to attend Chico State College, earning a degree in Education in 1953. While in college, she and two friends traveled an entire summer by train across the country and by ship across the Atlantic (and back!) to spend only 18 days in Europe with the Newman Club. In 1965, Cassie earned a Master of Arts in Library Science from Chico State.

Cassie taught in the Chico Unified School District for 33 years, first at Hooker Oak Elementary School and later as a librarian at Pleasant Valley High School, retiring in 1990. She was active in educational and community groups including Delta Kappa Gamma, Sigma Kappa Sorority Alumni Association, Omega Nu Sorority, and Bidwell Mansion Association. In 1983, the California Association for Childhood Education dedicated a redwood tree to Cassie in the Honor Grove at Humboldt State Park.

Cassie’s love of travel took her around the world including trips to Japan, Ireland, Africa, Mexico, Australia, and Germany as well as many parts of the US. Going to the 1962 World Fair in Seattle was among her favorite memories. She also bravely took her young nieces and nephews to Disneyland – twice! As they grew up, Cassie was a constant supporter of whatever trip or adventure they undertook.

Always interested in others, Cassie had a knack for striking up a conversation with anyone and for staying in touch. Her thoughtful letters and cards brightened up every occasion. She was a daily reader of the Chico Enterprise-Record and San Franscisco Chronicle which provided her puzzles as well as news. As an armchair sports enthusiast, Cassie was happiest on days when the 49ers or Giants won.

Cassie Kelly will be deeply missed by her sister, Joanne Donovan; her nieces, nephews, and their spouses, Tom Kansora, John and Evelyn Donovan, Colleen Donovan, Matt and Kelli Donovan, Joe Nichols, Anne Nichols and Matt Curtis, Paulette Nichols; as well as great-nieces and great-nephews, Will Donovan, Fiona Donovan, Evan Donovan, Kathleen Donovan, Ella Curtis, and Olivia Curtis. She was preceded in death by her sister, Moira Nichols, brothers-in-law, Walter Nichols and John Donovan, and niece, Mary Donovan-Kansora.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, July 28 at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and will be followed by burial at Chico Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cassie’s memory may be made to Chico Meals on Wheels, KIXE, or to a charity of your choice.

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