PLAINSBORO, N.J. — Shirley Patricia Kelly McKinney (nee Stevens), 81, of Plainsboro, died as the result of a stroke on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, at University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. She was born in Plattsburgh on July 18, 1931, the oldest of six children, to Gilbert and Viola (Desotelle) Stevens, who predeceased her along with three siblings; Richard, Janice and Gilbert.
She worked right out of high school, taking time off to raise the five children she had with her husband, Leon E. Kelly. Once the youngest was in school, she went back to work, first as an assistant manager of the text book store at Plattsburgh State University and later as store manager at Trenton State College (The College of New Jersey), James Madison University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and then University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She was the problem solver for Barnes & Noble's college store unit.
She is survived by her children, Megan (Bernie) DeGraaf of Estell Manor, N.J., Kerry (Pasquale) Calaiaro of New Hope, Pa., Kevin (Anne Verville) Kelly of McClean, Va,, Sean (Dr. Michele Keepe) Kelly of Oakura, New Zealand and Kailua, Hawaii, and Michael (Dino) Kelly-Cataldi of Wyndmoor, Pa.; her life partner of 30 years, Donald Early; ex-husband, Roger W. McKinney; grandchildren, Bernie (Jayna) DeGraaf, Sara DeGraaf, Jason Calaiaro, David Calaiaro, Lauren Kelly, Devin Kelly, Ashley (Josh) Hall, Lindsey (Zachary) Treadway, Chris Palmiero, Jack Verville, and Emma Keepe-Kelly; great-grandchildren, Matthew Hall, Kendal Hall and Isabelle Treadway; and her brothers, Herbert (Carol) Stevens and Bruce (Sue) Stevens.
She was predeceased by her ex-husband, Leon E. Kelly and her grandson, Louis DeSimone V.
A memorial celebration will be planned in the future with the date to be announced.
Donations can be made to the National Stroke Association at www.Stroke.org.
Arrangements are by the M. William Murphy Funeral Home, 1863 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton. www.murphyfh.com
