Jean Kiely

Alphonsina “Jean” Kiely peacefully passed into her final reward early Friday morning, January 31, 2020 at the age of 92. She was born on July 30, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA to Joseph and Alphonsine Oates. She had a younger brother, Roger “Jerry” Oates. She married Henry A Kiely on November 1, 1952 and together they had three daughters. Hank and Jean lived in Philadelphia until 1971 when Hank’s work for Sun Oil Company brought the family to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their Catholic faith was important to them, so they joined St. Pius X Church and sent their daughters to St. Pius X School and Bishop Kelley High School. Jean had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile. She had a strong giving spirit to others. Her nurturing personality led her to volunteer at a Mother’s Day Out program, where she loved caring for the infants and young toddlers. Jean was a wonderful stay-at-home mother, and when her children approached college age she knew the value of higher education. So she took a job in the Records Office at the University of Tulsa, providing her daughters an affordable opportunity to earn their degrees. Jean’s passion was caring for her family. As her daughters married and started families of their own, she fully embraced the role of grandmother. Whenever a grandchild was born, she would be there every day helping with laundry and meals, so the new mother could rest. And when one of the grandkids was sick, she would be there to pitch in however needed. She took an active interest in the lives of her grandchildren, attending countless piano and dance recitals, sporting events, and school programs. She was an avid reader and sparked that interest in her grandchildren by reading to them continually. A devout Catholic, Jean had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. In her later years, she loved to sit outside and watch the birds. She had a birdfeeder and birdbath in her backyard and was quick to “remind” Hank when they needed refilling. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, brother, infant daughter Susan Mary and granddaughter Kylie Bennett. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Hank Kiely; three daughters: Maureen Urich (Brian) of Tulsa, OK, Susan McNamara (Steve) of Las Vegas, NV, and Carolyn Bennett of Tulsa, OK; nine grandchildren – Kelly Urich, Kristy Urich, Kyle Urich, Christian McNamara, Pierce McNamara, Heather McNamara, Chris Derton, Ryan Bennett, and Natalie Bennett; and one great-grandchild, Lexie Derton. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Monday, February 3, 2020 at St. Pius X Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at St. Pius X Church. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151

Jean Kiely

July 30, 1927 - January 31, 2020