Margaret E. Kelly

Margaret E. Kelly of Portage, IN passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026. She was a coach and physical education teacher at Hammond Gavit, retiring in 1993. Margaret was inducted into Indiana’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. She coached her teams to victory in 6 volleyball sectionals, 3 regional titles in basketball, volleyball, and soft ball. Her teams were three-time contenders for state titles. She was a member of the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame and received the ICGSA Service Award. Margaret was a member of IHSAA Girls Advisory Comm., ICGSA, IBCA, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Hammond Teacher Association, Calumet Official Assoc., LCOA, an IHSAA Official and a member of Sodality at Nativity of Our Savior parish. Margaret loved anything sport related, especially Notre Dame and Purdue. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards and reading. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Lena Kelly, friend and companion, Bernita Adkins, brothers: James, Jerome, and Paul Kelly; nephews: Shannon and Michael Kelly. She is survived by her sister, Caroline Sue Brooks and her brother John Kelly, nephews: Bryan (Kellie) Kelly, Steven (Shari) Kelly, Brett (Tracey) Kelly, and Dale (Angela) Brooks; nieces: Sheila Kelly, Bridget Chesney, Veronica (Jim) Comer, Anne (Jay) Kelly, Donnalyn (Donnie) Alford and Deanna Brooks.

The family would like to thank the staff at Windward Pointe and Dunes Hospice for the wonderful care Margaret received. We would also like to thank all the parishioners that took her to mass and continued to stop by and visit her.

Memorial donations may be made to Nativity of Our Savior, Portage, IN.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Kevin McCarthy officiating directly at Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church, 2949 Willowcreek Road, Portage, IN 46368. A visitation will also be held Friday, October 30, 2026, from 9:00 am until the time of the Mass, also at Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church. The burial will be held at Gravel Lawn Cemetery privately. Arrangements are entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel 5341 Central Ave. Portage, Indiana 46368. For more information, please contact 219-762-3013 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com