Obituary: Ruth Kelley Royer, Actress, Dancer

Obituary from Farley Funeral Home: 

Ruth Kelley Royer, 93, formerly of Wellesley, passed away Dec. 17, 2013 in Venice, Fla.

Born on July 18, 1920 in Baltimore Maryland, Ruth spent her childhood in London, England.

She attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and was awarded a scholarship for her acting ability that was presented to her by actress Gertrude Lawrence. In addition to acting, she was an equestrian and dancer.

Upon returning to the United States, she met her future husband, John Kelley. They were married for 60 years until his death in 2000. They began their life together in Maryland, then moved to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and finally settled in Wellesley, where they lived for over 20 years. Upon retirement, they moved first to East Dennis, then to Homosassa, Fla. Ruth remarried at 81, and enjoyed 11 years with Dick Royer in Homosassa and Sarasota, Fla. until his death in 2013.

Ruth was an avid reader, a lover of puns, poetry and prose. She was a painter, a poet, a talented cook and had a green thumb. She loved bridge with her friends and her golf game gave her equal amounts of joy and misery. 

Ruth is survived by her three children from her first marriage, John Kelley and his wife Joanne, Jim Kelley and his wife Hinda and Judy Flanagan and her husband Scott; her six grandchildren and one great-grandson; and her second husband’s five children Rick, Amy, Jeff, Patty and Dave.

A graveside service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 at Sarasota National Cemetery.

For those wishing to honor her life, a donation to the American Diabetes Association in her name would be greatly appreciated.