The year 2023 had many changes and adjustments for many of us. Perhaps the most difficult for many in Pine Bush was the loss of a vivacious and dynamic woman, Eileen Kelly. There are few persons in this hamlet who did not know the name, or the lady! Eileen was a woman ahead of her time. She served as the first AND ONLY woman Supervisor for the Town of Crawford, held a seat on the Crawford Planning Board for decades, was a member of the Crawford Republican Committee, and served on local, county, and state Assessor’s organizations.

Is there anyone who attended the General Montgomery Day Parade who doesn’t remember Eileen driving that little yellow convertible, while tossing out candy to the children? She marched every year in the Pine Bush Memorial Day Parade perfectly dressed, carrying an American flag, AND marching the entire route in those four inch heels! These are just the public services Eileen participated in throughout her seventy plus year residency in Crawford/Pine Bush. Her personal story does not fall shot!

Eileen first visited this area as a young girl spending summers at her grandmother’s farm. It was a pleasant escape from New York’s summer heat. She loved the area and eventually became one of The Town of Crawford’s prominent citizens. Eileen had been the matriarch of the Kelly family for over sixty years. Keeping the Kelly homestead a center of celebration was paramount. Not just on special holidays and family occasions, but as a pleasant place for friends and family to gather for conversation, card games, leftovers from last night’s dinner, and especially Halloween candy leftovers! Being Italian there was always coffee served. Eileen was always ready for an excursion. If she had a hair appointment, needed to make a trip to the store for groceries, or just needed something from town, she would follow with lunch at one of her favorite haunts. Some of these were Danny’s in Wurtsboro after a trip to The Canal Town Emporium, Mountain View Inn for lunch following a hair or nail appointment. Stopping for soft ice cream in Bloomingburg after a Republican Committee Meeting, and let’s not forget going to Larry’s for Chinese!

This past July, the Kelly family hosted a remembrance of Eileen’s life. The event was for family members, friends, and acquaintances that knew or worked with Eileen over the years. It was something Eileen would have loved! No sad faces, just people recounting events and times spent with their dear friend. Some were remembering her devotion to her wonderful family. Others spoke about fun things they did with Eileen, or things she did on her own. In some of the stories a wine glass and dancing were involved! These weren’t speeches, but small conversations between two, or three friends gathered at the event followed by light laughter. For me, my memories were about those shopping/ lunch/ dinner excursions, and afternoon coffee meetings.

Everyone remembered something about that special lady. How fortunate we are that someone like Eileen Kelly touched our lives, and spent time with us.