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December 03, 2019

Ann Galligan Kelley ’78 lived her life for others

By Nick Wesman ’20G 

To know Ann Galligan Kelley, C.P.A. ’78, professor emeritus of accountancy and former longtime director of the Business Studies Program, was to be part of her family. She would go out of her way to make people feel important and cared for, and she was interested in the success of all those around her. 

Whether you were her student, colleague, or friend, Mrs. Kelley always had time to make a difference. And her mentorship stretched far beyond the classroom. 

“She was one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met in my life. Her commitment, passion, and sincerity were authentic,” said George Mason ’84, adjunct faculty member in the Providence College School of Business (PCSB). 

Mrs. Kelley died Oct. 31, 2019, after a long battle with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2013, she continued to inspire and advocate for women afflicted with the disease until the end of her life. 

A Providence native, she received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Providence College and later earned an MBA degree from Northeastern University and a CAGS certificate from Bryant University. She began teaching at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., before returning to her alma mater to teach in 1986. 

Thus began an impactful, and busy, 32-year career as an educator at PC. In addition to her teaching position, Mrs. Kelley was director of the Business Studies Program from 1986 until 2018, when she retired, and she served on the Faculty Senate, as well as various other College committees.  

Valerie Peterson ’78, practitioner faculty member in accountancy, was both a classmate and colleague of Mrs. Kelley. She said it was clear early in their relationship that she was driven, meticulous, and especially generous. 

“Even as an undergraduate she was more thorough than most,” said Peterson, adding that Mrs. Kelley’s note-taking prowess and ability to break down complex concepts into manageable pieces were revered among classmates. 

Her gift for conveying business and accounting concepts followed her to the classroom, where she was deeply invested in her students’ successes and those of her fellow instructors. 

Mason, who worked under Mrs. Kelley in the Business Studies Program for 20 years, said it was she who helped him to become the educator he is today. “She helped me morph from that new adjunct into a well-skilled instructor,” he said. 

“She was absolutely devoted to her students, and I can’t count how many times she helped colleagues,” Peterson said, adding it was Mrs. Kelley who first reached out to her about returning to PC to teach, like she had done. 

But it was in the relationships with her students where Mrs. Kelley made her most significant impact. 

In giving the eulogy at Mrs. Kelley’s funeral, Carol A. Hartley, C.P.A., assistant professor of accountancy, illustrated just how present she managed to be in her students’ lives. 

Hartley’s eulogy included many thoughts from Mrs. Kelley’s former students. 

“Professor Kelley didn’t just push all her students to be successful; she challenged them to be happy,” said Hartley, quoting one of those students. “She would make us write down our goals for her class, but also our personal aspirations. Once that goal was written down, Professor Kelley would do all that she could to help us achieve it. She was our role model for a good accountant, and also for a good person.” 

Another anecdote relayed how Mrs. Kelley warmly welcomed a first-time advisee, coming out from behind her desk to embrace the student. 

“Many students lovingly referred to her as ‘Mom.’ They are so thankful for everything she did for them,” Hartley said. 

“Ann put enormous energy into her class preparations and had correspondingly high expectations for her students,” said Paul J. Maloney, C.P.A., assistant professor of finance. “But Ann’s efforts extended far beyond the classroom as she provided additional support to her students, as needed, for them to achieve success.” 

Though she kept a bustling schedule, she was always present for the people with whom she interacted. 

“At that moment, you were her focus,” Mason said. “The student was more important than the rest.” 

The devotion she demonstrated to her students was simply a manifestation of Mrs. Kelley’s strong faith, Hartley said. 

“To choose to teach, and to choose to teach at a religious institution in particular, is a life choice to devote oneself to service,” Hartley said. “Ann chose teaching at Providence College as a vocation, an extension of her faith.” 

“She was very willing to help people. It was part of her DNA,” Peterson said. 

That desire to help others and contribute to their success was not confined to the classroom. Peterson remembered that Mrs. Kelley would take the last few days of the school year to provide students lessons in financial literacy to help them navigate their life after college. 

And upon her diagnosis, Mrs. Kelley used that motivation to work for the women of Rhode Island. 

Because Mrs. Kelley, like approximately 40 percent of women, had dense breast tissue, her tumor did not appear on standard mammograms. By the time the tumor was discovered through ultrasound, the cancer had reached a progressive stage. 

Partnering with her husband, Charles P. Kelley, and working closely with radiologists and state legislators — some of whom were alumni and her former students — she helped draft a bill requiring Rhode Island doctors to inform women of their breast density when they received mammograms. The bill was passed into law in May 2014. 

“I was determined that there must be a way to prevent healthy women from waking up one day to discover they have late-stage invasive breast cancer,” Mrs. Kelley said at the time. 

“In service to others, she went on a crusade to make sure other women would never be caught unaware, as she had been, of the risks with dense breast tissue,” Hartley said during the eulogy. 

Though cancer prevented Mrs. Kelley from continuing to teach in the last years of her life, she continued to make herself available to advise students, remained strong in her faith, and maintained a grateful attitude. 

“Even as her disease progressed, she taught me about the depth of faith and acceptance of where you are,” Mason said. 

“The quality of your education is a combination of your teacher’s personality and commitment. We’re fortunate in our lives to get that kind of mentor,” he added. 

Mrs. Kelley was a daughter of the late Charles H. and Virginia (McElroy) Galligan. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Andrew C.P. Kelley ’10 and Caroline K. Geiger, and her husband, Ross; and brothers Rev. Charles H. Galligan ’79 and Richard McElroy. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Christ the King Church in Kingston, R.I.