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Colleagues remember longtime Clarendon Hills teacher
Updated: January 28, 2013 2:50PM
CLARENDON HILLS — Clarendon Hills Middle School math teacher Nancy Costea couldn’t say enough good things about a former colleague and friend, who died Dec. 8.
Mary Kelly, 71, is the longtime Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 science teacher who retired in June 2005, but never lost contact with friends, colleagues, and newer teachers who continued to work in the district.
“Every kid was special to her,” Costea said. “She found a way to reach every kid. She loved everybody and had boundless energy and enthusiasm.”
Along with her 25 years of classroom teaching at CHMS and before that at Hinsdale Middle School, Kelly worked in District 181’s science center and developed the science curriculum that remains a foundation for students.
She became a member as a child of Emmanuel Episcopal Church of La Grange and remained active at the church, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school over the years.
“She was the most perfect friend anyone could ever ask for,” Costea said. “She always did things to help others and be positive, and she was a wonderful hostess whenever anyone came to her home.”
Kelly is survived by three children, Michael (Kim), Stephen (Natalie), and Carolyn Kelly Buchta (Dan); and four grandchildren, Abby and Lucas Kelly, and Ben and Nick Buchta.
