Inwood's Yvonne Stokes Kelly dies at 71

Breast cancer survivor and community volunteer worked in her native school district.

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Longtime Inwood resident and Five Towns Community Center volunteer, Yvonne Stokes Kelly, died on Nov. 17 after a battle with colon cancer. She was 71.

Kelly graduated in 1968 from Lawrence High School. She worked as a custodian in her home school district working in the Number Two and Four schools and Lawrence Middle School for more than 10 years, as well as a teacher’s aid. Building friendships with children and their parents was something she took pride in.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing her for over 14 years when my kids started at #4 school,” Maureen Ann posted on Facebook. “She was always happy to see each and every student she met.”

Outside of work, you would find Kelly volunteering at the Community Center working with Sasha Young at the center’s Gammy’s Pantry. “We enjoyed so many moments together,” Young said. “Whether at the FTCC in Gammy’s Pantry serving or in the park advocating for the children in our community.” Young knew Yvonne for over 15 years and described her as a staple in the community. 

Kelly’s daughter, Amanda Kelly, described how important it was to her mother to give back to her community and to help those in need. “She would go out every chance that she could,” Amanda said. “Bad weather, good weather, it was extremely important to her to help out the community.”

Her roles varied as many of them consisted of handing out food to people in the center, posting on Facebook when food would be available and promoting events at the center. Amanda recounted how her mother typically went above and beyond for people in need such as actually home delivering an assortment of items, including food to them if they could not get to the center.

Kelly’s pastor, Duane Sleet, at First Baptist Church in Far Rockaway, expressed his grief for his friend and professional church photographer. “I have been in a state of deep sorrow and mourning,” Sleet said. “You were a force of nature, as you often told it like it was. You were a realist and truth-teller.” 

A breast cancer survivor, Kelly did not let her battle with colon cancer interfere with anything she enjoyed. After chemo sessions, she would ask her daughter to take her to the Community Center instead of resting, which Amanda insisted she did. “She did not let sickness get in the way,” Amanda said. “She had a beautiful soul and a beautiful heart. She would do anything and everything she could to help her community.”  

Survived by her daughter, Amanda, Kelly was predeceased by her son, Desmond Kelly Jr., and her husband, Desmond Kelly Sr.