Cynthia S. Kelly

Cynthia Smith was born on August 6, 1932 on Long Island, New York. She was a precocious child and started playing the piano at 3 years old! She lived with her maternal grandparents for most of her childhood and helped her grandmother bake cakes to sell during the depression. Having learned from her grandmother, Cynthia became an excellent cook and her apple pies were
legendary! Cynthia’s favorite place in the world was the family home in Pine Hill, New York where she spent summers with her grandparents and even attended a one room schoolhouse. She
attended Northfield Academy for girls and continued her education at Oberlin College where she studied English and continued her piano studies at the conservatory. She was exceptionally proud of her acting accomplishments at Oberlin, especially her role as St. Joan of Arc. She moved to New York City after College and lived with her mother while acting in a small theater company. She met her future husband, Paul Kelly at a party. Soon after, they were married on May 12, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Not having any siblings, Cynthia’s dream of filling her house with children came true. Anne, Cindy, Lenice, Paul (PK) and Teresa filled her McLean, Va., home with boisterous energy. All the children loved listening to her practice Chopin and Beethoven on the piano as they drifted off to sleep. As her children grew up and started families of their own, Cynthia yearned for a place like the Pine Hill of her youth, and built a beautiful home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Family and friends gathered there throughout many wonderful years hiking and skiing; finding peace and beauty in nature; and creating lasting memories of laughter and love.

Cynthia’s life was filled with tennis, travel, piano and visits with children and grandchildren. Her Christian faith was a constant, she sang in the choir, and she could cite scripture and verse verbatim. Cynthia spent the last 10 years living at her beloved Wintergreen home surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains.

She is pre-deceased by her adored mother, Zella Holaday Goad and her beloved grandson Greg. She is survived by her children Anne Paroulek (Joe) of Chester MD, Cindy McCarthy (Jim) of
Oakton, VA, Lenice Moynihan (John) of Howard County MD, Paul Kelly of Nelson County, VA and Teresa Freeman (Paul) of Clifton, VA. And her 9 grandchildren, David, Timothy, Daniel, Marilyn, Bridget Russell, Luke, Scott and Joshua, and 4 great grandchildren Benjamin, Zack, Abby and Emily.

A graveside service will be held for Cynthia on Friday, March 22nd at 11:15am at Columbia Gardens Cemetery. All are welcome. 3411 Arlington Boulevard Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-527-1235 https://www.columbiagardenscemetery.org/

Immediately following the graveside ceremony, join us for a Celebration of Life honoring Cynthia at 1:00pm at Patsy’s. Patsy’s American restaurant in Vienna, VA.
https://www.patsysamerican.com/?utm_source=extnet&utm_medium=yext

Flowers may be sent to Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave. West, Vienna, Va 22180