Irene M. (Lelakowski) Kellish

Irene M. (Lelakowski) Kellish, age 100, of LaFayette-Pompey, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2016, peacefully in her home of 74 years surrounded by the people who loved her. She was predeceased by her husband, John, of 54 years in 1991; and survived by her son, Tom, and her daughter-in-law, Carol, and family members and many friends. Irene was born in Syracuse on 6/12/16 to Ignatius and Sarafina Lelakowski, where she and her brother, Theodore Lelakowski, and sister, Genevieve (Lelakowski) Delcioppo, peddled newspapers along W. Genesee St. on “Automobile Row”. She was educated by the Nuns at the School at Sacred Heart Church, known today as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Her family moved to the farm on Berwyn Road in Pompey, the “Stone House” when she turned 16, where, at her birthday party, she met the love of her life, John Kellish (already living on a farm in Pompey) who was selected to play his fiddle with his group. They were married in 1937, and operated a number of farms, before they moved to their present farm in 1942, the year their son was born. In the early years “Rene” was adept at driving a John Deere tractor and a truck helping her husband in the fields. Irene was initially employed manufacturing Kenmore sewing machines at New Process Gear in Syracuse, and then became one of the original “Rosie the Riveters” at Brown Lipe Chapin riveting headlight trim on General Motors vehicles, while her husband tested machine guns on the rooftop of the building. In 1943 she moved back to New Process Gear, operating machines “on the line” until she retired in 1975 after 32 years. While there she lost a finger in the machines, but reported for work the following day. Throughout this period she assisted her husband on the farm, and if the “boys” were still in the fields when she got home from work, she would head start milking the cows. Then, supper on the table. Then, make cookies and/or crochet afghans. For the thousands of pounds of cookies she made over the years to sell or give away for all occasions she was known as the “Cookie Lady”. For the hundreds of afghans she made over the years, she will be remembered by many family members, friends and organizations using them for fund raising. Irene always tried to stay involved in Immaculate Conception Church functions in Pompey, especially community picnics, and the Fabius-Pompey Senior Citizens Group. She was also active in cooking, gardening (flower and vegetable) and the family farm. She mowed her own lawn into her 80’s, and at her 80th birthday party, she only wanted a 5 HP lawnmower, and at her 90th party, she only wanted a “red” wheelbarrow, and at her recent 100th party, she only wanted to dance the polka to the live polka band, and to see her original 1940s John Deere tractor (which she did). Irene was a beacon and inspiration to her family, friends, fellow employees, and community, and will be sorely missed by all. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Foundation of Central New York, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool, NY 13088, or www.hospicecny.org. A special thanks to Irene’s friends and final caregivers, Paula Ashley of Fabius, and Mary Ellen Kramek of LaFayette.

Irene M. (Lelakowski) Kellish

June 12, 1916 - December 27, 2016