Margaret Ashman Kelly

East Greenbush- Margaret Ashman Kelly, 85, entered eternal rest on May 9th, 2010 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Syracuse (NY), the daughter of the late Fred S. and Alice M. Ashman, she also survived her younger brother, Lee James Ashman.

A graduate of the College of Saint Rose, Albany NY, with a B.A. in history and political science, she also took graduate courses in education studies at both Russell Sage and Union Colleges. A career in journalism spanning five decades began as a correspondent for United Press International where she handled news of World War II including President Roosevelt's death and V-E Day. She joined the Albany Times-Union as features editor, working from 1945-1951. After a hiatus as wife and mother, she began her career as a teacher of American history and social studies in the East Greenbush School District. In 1968, she taught at the Albany Adult Learning Center, where she developed a high school adult equivalency curriculum that caused the NYS Education Dept. to seek her counsel. Later, she taught American History to the 11th and 12th grades at Rensselaer High School. When her daughter began her own career, Margaret returned to her "first love," the newspaper business, where she became a distinguished member of NYS Legislative Correspondent's Association as editor of her own business "Capitol News Coverage." As such, she reported on agriculture, New York State's leading business, dealing with Governor Mario Cuomo's administration and the state legislature. She officially retired at the end of 1999.

She is survived by her husband, Martin P. Kelly, and their daughter, Margaret M. Kelly, who wish to thank the staff members of the Rosewood Gardens Nursing Home, Rensselaer, for their care and concern during Margaret's final illness.

Funeral from the Holy Spirit Church, East Greenbush, Wednesday May 12, at 9:30 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered. Friends and former business associates may call at the Thomas P. Mooney Funeral Home 11 Elm St. Nassau, Tuesday evening May 11, from 4-8pm. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Nassau.

Donations in Margaret's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Pine West Plaza Building 4 Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext. Albany NY 12205-5515.