By Thea Burgess, HRH Board President
Red Hook lost a luminary of the local history community with the passing of Mary Kelly. Anyone who met Mary came away wanting to emulate her energy, intelligence, and service. My Mary Kelly story came when I was the only HRH trustee who was available for Hardscrabble Day one year. I would have to oversee the apple pie serving and Inn open house. Thankfully Mary was there. Nothing fazed her. She brought flowers to put on the tables, knew where every thing we needed was housed, and kept things going the entire day. When I took pictures of the my students who had volunteered to serve apple pie a la mode, they wanted Mary in the picture as well. (Of course we had plenty of pies, because Mary had worked her magic—soft power at work—when requesting donations.) That is just one of the many, many Mary Kelly stories connected to the Elmendorph Inn and Friends of Elmendoph, Historic Red Hook’s forerunner. You can read more about Mary’s amazing life, and take a moment to honor her memory and life.
Mary Kelly was a longtime volunteer with the Friends of Elmendorph and Historic Red Hook, serving as president of the Friends of Elmendorph in 2000 and 2001.
Memorial Day Parade.
After Mary finished her two terms on the Friends of Elmendorph Board, she continued to be very dedicated to the Friends, Historic Red Hook, and the Elmendorph Inn.
Mary up early in the old kitchen at the Elmendorph Inn as we prepared for a Holiday Open House.
Mary was the main force behind the Apple Pie a la Mode on Hardscrabble Day in the past, and she was essential for the success of our Holiday Open House for many years. When Mary called people and cajoled them into making apple pies, cookies, or whatever was needed, they agreed. It was very hard to say "no" to Mary because we knew of her love and passion for the Inn and Historic Red Hook!
Mary churns cream into butter as Ellen Phelan looks on at a Holiday Open House.
Mary was the epitome of a life well lived, and we strive to mirror her love for her family, friends, community, Historic Red Hook, and the Elmendorph Inn.