Josephine (Giornesto) Kelly

Josephine "Jo" (Giornesto) Kelly, 105, of Saxton, Pennsylvania, passed away at home on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. She was born on October 23, 1919 in Broad Top City, PA; a daughter of the late Charles and Frances Mary (Palermo) Giornesto.  On August 7, 1947 she married William L. "Bill" Kelly. He preceded her in death on May 1, 2019.  

A graduate of Robertsdale High School and later the Huntingdon School of Business, Jo secured a job in Harrisburg at the State Capitol as a secretary for the Retired Teachers Association, where she worked from 1945 to 1947. She met her husband Bill at Happy Hollow in 1947 and spent her life as a community advocate, volunteering for various organizations. The wife of a devoted firefighter and EMT, she helped with the fire company’s fundraisers and organized financial projects. Notably, Jo led a project to purchase the first firefighting turnout gear the local firefighters ever had. She served as president of both the Saxton and Bedford County Women's Clubs, the Red Cross organization for 35 years, the Saxton Area Salvation Army for 25 years, and was treasurer of the Broad Top Area Bicentennial Committee for Bedford County. Jo was also a girl scout leader and camp director at Warriors Path State Park, secretary of the Saxton Senior Center, board member of the Broad Top Area Medical Center, and proudly served on the Bedford County Housing Authority Board of Directors, where she was a founding board member. 

Jo was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Dudley, where she and her husband had previously sung in the choir and had a deep dedication to her faith and the church community. She was known by family and friends in the community as a strong, independent, faith-filled, and goal-oriented woman. 

She is survived by two children William C. Kelly and companion Vickie Breen, Chambersburg, PA and Mary Jo (Michael) Pronio, Hummelstown, PA; grandchildren Elizabeth (Eric) DeBie, Phoenix, AZ; Chad (Julie) Kelly, Laurel, MD; James Pronio, Florence, Italy; Natalie Pronio, St. Bonaventure, NY; Matthew Pronio, Austin, TX; Ellen Pronio, Denver, CO; great-grandchildren Mackenzie Miller, Rachel McDannell, Elliott Miller, Emery and Ashton Kelly; and a sister DoRee Kifer, Las Gatos, CA. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by granddaughter Megan Miller, great-grandchild Alexander McDannell, and siblings Sam Giornesto, Ken Giornesto, Constance Thompson, Charles "Hoss" Giornesto, Mary "Toby" Neamtz, and Guy "Nook" Giornesto.

Friends and family may call at Akers Funeral Home, 715 Church Street, Saxton, PA 16678 on Monday, September 8, 2025 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. and on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 10:00-10:45 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Dudley. A Rosary service will be held at the Funeral Home at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, with a memorial service by the Saxton Volunteer Fire Company to follow. 

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Dudley with Fr. Mark Reid and Fr. Matthew Baum officiating. The burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery.

If friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jo to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1416 Dudley Road, Dudley, PA 16634, and the Saxton Volunteer Ambulance Division or Saxton Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 115, Saxton, PA 16678.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralchapel.com.

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