Nadine Kelly, of Washington Heights New York, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2026, one day after her 80th birthday. The daughter of Aaron and Evelyn Frank and twin sister of Neil Frank, Nadine was a graduate of George Washington High School, Class of 1963. Having completed her bachelor’s degree at City College, she set off from the big city to pursue her passion—moving across the world on her own—to pursue a master’s degree in speech pathology at the University of Hawaii.

Upon returning to New York, she completed her Masters of Science in Special Education from Yeshiva University in 1977. The following two years, Nadine and her first spouse, the late Michael Rod, welcomed the true lights of her life into the world: her children David Frederic and Rachel Alexandra. Nadine became a fiercely independent, devoted “mama bear” who fought tirelessly to provide for her family though any hardship, often working multiple jobs to make ends meet. While her dedicated work as a speech pathologist in public schools and senior care facilities kept her busy, she also made time for the arts, gracing the stage in local community theater productions, including an unforgettable starring role as Marian in The Music Man.

In 1992, Nadine completed the requirements for Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech and married her true love, Robert W. Kelly. Their union brought Nadine and her children immense joy until his untimely passing in 1998. Even through deep loss, Nadine retained her open heart and quick wit. A perfect blend of sweet and spice, Nadine was always there to offer a hug to those in need, but she was even quicker to deliver a sharp, hilarious comeback.

In 2003, Nadine left New York City behind once more to head south for Virginia. Spending years in Fairfax and later Falls Church, Nadine retired in 2011 to devote herself to her children and grandchildren—both human and canine. She leaves to them a lifetime of precious memories, a monumental collection of stuffed animals, and a deep love of sarcasm.

Nadine is survived in life by her children, David and Rachel; her grandchildren Melia, Elise, Kai, Ian, and Alexander; her granddogs Rocco and Jackson; and her grandcat Qi’ra. She is reunited in peace with her beloved husband Bob, who surely welcomed her with open arms and a vodka gimlet, as well as her sweet pooches Colin, Barney, Bobbi and Grace.

Mourners will gather to remember Nadine on Friday, November 6 at 10 a.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church. In lieu of flowers, Nadine would have wanted her loved ones to support Lab Rescue https://www.lab-rescue.org/ with donations to rescue, foster, and find forever homes for abused, neglected, and abandoned Labrador Retrievers.