Lorraine S. Kelly, beloved wife, daughter, mother and grandmother, passed away April 4, 2026, after a long illness.
She was born March 28, 1949, to parents Arthur and Arlene Choate and was a lifelong resident of the town of Hamden.
Lorraine married Harold W. Kelly Aug. 25, 1967. For the first part of their marriage, they operated a dairy farm, and after the sale of the farm, they owned a trucking business. She also worked selling Avon and then worked a few years in the jewelry department at Ames Department Store in Delhi. While she enjoyed these jobs and visiting with her customers, her greatest passion was horses. Some of her favorite memories were training horses as a child on her grandparent’s farm and providing riding lessons later in life after she and her husband built a stable with an indoor riding arena. Lorraine had a gift for dealing with horses and took enjoyment from seeing the horses and the riders learn and improve their skills. There wasn’t a horse that she didn’t love.
In addition to working with horses, Lorraine enjoyed many crafts and sewing. She was a talented seamstress, making many of her clothes, and she liked to make western-style outfits to wear to the Walton Fair. She learned to crochet from her grandmother and crocheted many blankets and stuffed animals. She donated hats, mittens, and blankets to various organizations.
She was a member of the Abundant Life Church in Delhi. She especially enjoyed her time working with the children in various classes over the years.
Lorraine is survived by her husband, mother, daughters Althea Damgaard (Richard) and Elaine Brown (Joseph), granddaughters Natalie and Katherine Brown, sister-in-law Carolyn Choate, nieces Tammy and Bobbi Choate, and nephew Arthur Choate.
Friends and family are welcome to attend her celebration of Lorraine’s life from 1 until 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at Abundant Life Church, 79 Assembly Lane, Delhi.
Visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with Lorraine’s family.
