Sandra Kelly

Sandra L. Kelly (Krupka) 79, of North Providence, formerly of Smithfield, and a longtime resident of North Attleboro passed away quietly with the attention of her loved ones on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. Sandy leaves behind her husband of 59 years, James “the Dude” Kelly of North Providence. Her beloved son Timothy, her loyal border collies Jake and Rizzy, and her forty-year-old African Grey Parrott Barnie. Her sister Donna Cobb and her husband Chuck, as well as her many nephews and nieces and friends.

Sandra was born on April 25th, 1946, in Providence, RI and was the eldest child of the late Anthony and Anne Krupka. She grew up in North Providence and graduated from the High School in the class of 1964. Soon after, Sandy married her lifelong husband, James, at St Augustine's Church in Providence on July 29th, 1966. The couple moved to Charleston,

South Carolina where her husband was stationed in the U.S. Navy. Upon his discharge they returned to New England and settled in North Attleboro.

Throughout her son’s childhood and teen years, Sandy was a strong supporter of many North Attleboro sports programs priding herself on never missing a game and supporting the teams and organizations. She was often known for videotaping games, bringing fruit and drinks, and cheering from the stands.

Sandra was always an organizer, whether it was packing for a day at Quaddick Pond in Connecticut, family lunches at her parents' home or simply getting the boys off to Thompson Speedway packed with food and supplies, she always was there to make sure her loved ones had what they needed.

Sandy was old fashion and a hard worker embracing the role as a homemaker while also doing various jobs. She found her niche with the Sun Chronicle Newspaper in Attleboro, as a Circulation Manager, where she excelled at work and loved her coworkers and paper carriers for over 20 years. Sandra was also the backbone of her husband's successful company, The Dude Inc., serving as Vice President and handling all the administrative duties.

For many years Sandy hosted Christmas eve parties where friends and families gathered for good food, decorations and a cheerful atmosphere. She elevated the excitement with her heightening of the legendary Daytona 500 parties held at the Kelly residence. For over 40 years and still running, many Nascar fans and partygoers broke up the winter by looking forward to her bottomless dishes and fridge full of refreshments. Over the course of time, Sandra earned the nickname “Ma Kell” from her son, nephews and friends for her excellent cooking skills and caring personality. Whether it was shrimp scampi. Pasta salad or simple pancakes for her nephew Michael, she enjoyed serving her family and friends the most delicious foods. Everybody will miss her golumpki and nobody will ever know the secret ingredients to the Swedish meatballs.

During the summer months Sandy loved going to the ocean with her family and friends for crabcakes and lobster rolls. Taking boat rides to the Vineyard and in Newport and enjoying the air conditioning at the local casinos. Torturing her family with a flying parrot. Swimming in her son’s pool and playing with her dogs in the yard.

In her later years Sandy enjoyed sitting in front of the fireplace, going to lunch with her sister, taking rides in the car to the ocean, socializing with neighbors, and finding four leaf clovers in the grass. She loved her daily coffee runs and her Sunday mornings at Twin Rivers playing slots with her son Timmy with which she shared a close bond. She kept it simple and was very happy.

Sandra stayed out of the limelight and never wanted to take credit, but it was her actions that always resulted in success. She knew how to lead by her actions; she counseled practical and thoughtful advice and knew how to have a good time. She was a great mom, wife, sister, aunt, friend, person. She will be deeply missed by her family and by her friends.

A celebration of life brunch will be held for Sandy on Sunday, September 7th, starting at 10a.m. at The Trap restaurant, in Smithfield, RI, in the downstairs function area. The memorial will be casual dress. Family, friends, and good memories are all welcome.