Gretchen J. Kelley

Gretchen Jean Kelley (nee Beinlich), age 87, of Erie, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on Oct. 17, 2025. She was born on Oct. 13, 1938, in Braddock, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Justus Jordan Beinlich and Norma Mae Morrison Beinlich. Gretchen is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Rev. Dr. Harold Dallas Kelley Jr.; her son, Frederick Jordan Kelley, M.D., of Oxnard, California, and his four children, Emani, Daniel, David, and Jonathan; and her daughter, Margaret Jean Kelley Slupecki, and her husband, Andrew Joseph Slupecki, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and their three children, Benjamin, Craig, and Brian. She is also survived by her brother, Ronald Jordan Beinlich, and his wife, Carolyn Mueller Beinlich, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gretchen graduated with a B.S. degree in Home Economics Education from the Margaret Morrison Carnegie College of Carnegie Mellon University (formerly Carnegie Tech). Her church was always close to her heart. She served as a Deacon, Ruling Elder, and Chairperson of the Christian Education Committee, and was a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. She was a member of Presbyterian Women, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and participated in numerous Handbell and Chancel Choirs. She was honored twice by her congregation as Presbyterian Woman of the Year. In the communities where she lived, Gretchen was a leader of her Sewing Guild and enjoyed teaching sewing to elementary school children. She also served as Chairperson of the Civic and Welfare Committee of a Welcome Club, was an elected School Board member, a member of a Library Commission, President of an Assisted Living Home Auxiliary, and a member of two Convalescent Home Boards, one of which she served as Board President for many years.

Gretchen was known for her graciousness, generosity, and ever-present smile. She found peace and happiness in her flower garden and sewing room, and she delighted in preparing delicious meals for family and friends. She was immensely proud of her son and daughter and of her “outstanding grandchildren,” as she called them, for whom “Grandy’s” freshly baked cinnamon rolls were legendary.

A memorial service will be held at Wayside Presbyterian Church 1208 Asbury Rd. Erie, PA 16505 on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 at 2 p.m. Gretchen’s wish was that in her memory, we would “please assist the elderly, visit the lonely, and perform acts of kindness.” Memorial gifts may be made to Wayside Presbyterian Church or the Second Harvest Food Pantry of Northwest Pennsylvania. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc, West Ridge 3801 W. 26th Street, Erie PA 16506. Send condolences at www.BurtonQUinnScott.com.