Obituary: Mary J. Kelly, demonstrated home appliances for Philco Obituary: Mary J. Kelly, demonstrated home appliances for Philco (August 10, 2005)

Mary Jean Kelly, who in her 51-year career as a home economist helped popularize household appliances, from automatic washers to microwave ovens, died of natural causes July 5 at her home in The Sequoias retirement community in Portola Valley. She was 94.

Born in Greensburg, Indiana, and raised in Franklin, Indiana, Ms. Kelly attended Franklin College and the University of Illinois.

Hired in 1934 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she helped Indiana farmers obtain grants and loans to re-establish farming operations during the Great Depression.

From 1941 to 1945 during World War II, she worked as an aircraft gun sight tester at National Cash Register Co. in Dayton, Ohio.

In 1949 she joined Philco Corp. as a home economist. Philco, an early manufacturer of automatic washing and drying machines, refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, assigned Ms. Kelly to its San Francisco office and 13-state western territory.

As a "demonstration lady" she hosted cooking schools, trade show presentations and in-home demonstrations to connect consumers with the new appliances.

In 1956, when Ford Motor Co. purchased Philco, Ms. Kelly relocated to Philco's home office in Philadelphia.

In 1970, as Ford exited the appliance market, she returned to the Bay Area, where she worked for the Thermador Corp. until 1975 as an in-home demonstrator of microwave ovens.

After retiring, she pursued her interests in travel and the performing arts. For many years she volunteered as an usher for the San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and the San Francisco Opera.

She belonged to several professional organizations: Home Economics in Business, American Home Economics Association, and the Electrical Women's Round Table.

Ms. Kelly is survived by five great nieces and nephews, and 19 great-great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 25, at Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 East Adams Drive, Franklin, IN 46131.

Donations honoring her life may be directed to the Kelly Trust at Grace United Methodist Church; the Kelly Student Travel Fund at Franklin College, 101 Branigin Blvd., Franklin, IN 46131-2598; or in memory of Mary J. Kelly at the San Francisco Symphony, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA 94102.

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