Norma Louise McCullough Kelly, 86, of Springfield passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 19, 2025. She was born in McGregor, Colorado on May 6, 1938, the daughter of William Edward and Beaulah Naomi Wyatt McCullough. Norma spent her early years in the towns of Palisade and Craig in northwestern Colorado and moved to Springfield with her family at age 13. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Leon McCullough, William McCullough and Barbara Kodrich.
Norma attended Pleasant Hill School and graduated from Lanphier High School in 1956. She was married to John “Pat” Kelly in Lincoln, IL on May 7, 1959, and after 64 years of marriage Pat preceded her in death in 2023. Together they raised seven children, all surviving: Chris (Gae) Kelly of Springfield, Maria Stacy of Springfield, Dan (Shannon) Kelly of Federal Way, WA, Colleen McDonald of Springfield, Patrick Kelly of Springfield, Terry (Ann Jennings) Kelly of Tempe, AZ, and Ellen Giacomini of Springfield. She is also survived by her sisters, Martha Pierceall and Patti McAllister, both of Springfield, eighteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Norma was both devoted to her family and accomplished outside her home. She worked for 22 years at The Horace Mann Companies, retiring in 2000 as a Director in its Information Systems Department. Norma was named Horace Mann’s “Employee of the Year” in 1984 and served as its loaned executive to local United Way campaigns for many years.
Whether on behalf of her family, her colleagues at work or her friends from bridge, golf or community service, Norma was always there when her people needed her and she always made a real and positive difference. She is deeply loved and will be sorely missed.
Memorial Gathering: 9:30 am – 11:00 am, Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Church.
Memorial Mass: 11:00 am, Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Jeffery Grant and Rev. Michael Friedel officiating. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Blessed Sacrament School and Church, which tried mightily to educate Norma’s children and where she had been a parishioner throughout her adult life.
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