Andrea (Curtis) Kelty

Andrea (Curtis) Kelty was called home to our Lord on January 7, 2025, after a brief
illness. Surrounded by her loving family, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY, Andrea
passed peacefully with dignity and grace, giving her last ounce of strength to tell her
family that she loved us all.
Born on June 30, 1939, to John and Viola (Kalendak) Curtis, Andrea was raised and
attended school in Albany, NY, where she met the love of her life, James H. Kelty, Jr.
Jim and Andrea married on May 7, 1960, and built a life together that took them through
54 years of joy, sorrows and love until Jim’s passing in 2015. Jim and Andrea moved to
Schenectady in 1964, where they raised their 6 children, Donna (Jay) DeFilippo, James
(Alma) Kelty, III, Thomasina (Mike) Wilson, Mary (Tom) Westervelt, John (Shirley) Kelty
and Charles Kelty. In addition to her children, Andrea loved 13 grandchildren, 13 great-
grandchildren, and her sisters Maureen Butler and Janet (Jack) Gundrum. She enjoyed
warm relationships with her sisters-in-law Marion Glasser, Sarah Dessureau and
Deborah Spath, 3 nieces and a nephew.
As the mother of 6 children, Andrea rarely worked outside the home until she felt they
were safe and able to care for themselves. Initially, she worked part-time at Standard
Furniture – only 2 blocks from home, where she could keep an eye on her brood -
before taking a full-time position with Trustco Bank in Schenectady. Andrea then
followed her supervisor and friend to her final employment with Solomon and Solomon,
P.C. in Albany, where she worked in a clerical support role. Andrea became a well-
loved member of the law firm’s staff during her long-term tenure, retiring in 2013 when
Jim became ill.
In the 10 years following Jim’s passing, Andrea began new adventures and hobbies.
She visited many exotic places on cruises, with her favorite location being Altun Ha,
Belize. She loved crafts, creating numerous scrapbooks for her family, and card
making. Her recent time was spent creating ‘junk’ journals that reflected her personality
and spirit. Sadly, Andrea was forced to set aside her hobbies after a fall, from which
she sustained serious injuries and entered the Collar City Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center, where she endeared herself to the kind and supportive staff.
Andrea takes with her the love and adoration of her family, friends and acquaintances,
who are invited to say farewell from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Daly
Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady, NY 12304. A mass of the Christian
Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025, at St. Paul the
Apostle Church, 2777 Albany St., Schenectady, NY 12304. Interment immediately
follows at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
As Andrea was a giving person, always thinking of those in need, the family requests
donations to a local food pantry or shelter in lieu of flowers.

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