Dennis A. Kelly

Dennis A. Kelly MD, formerly of Natrona Heights Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home in Santa Monica California after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born 7/10/1946 in Natrona Heights to Walter E. Kelly and Elizabeth White Kelly. Dennis graduated from Blessed Sacrament Catholic grade school and HarBrack High School, class of 1964, with honors. He was awarded a 4-year scholarship from Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation to Pennsylvania State University and graduated with honors in 1968. During his time there, he was given 1 of 100 undergraduate study abroad opportunities and spent a semester of his junior year as a foreign exchange student studying at the University of Cologne in Germany. This experience developed his love for travel and interest in learning about different cultures. Dennis mastered the German language. He went on to graduate as a Medical Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School in 1972. He decided at a young age to pursue a career as a physician so he could be a help and support to others. His internal medicine internship was completed at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh PA. He accepted a position to train in Emergency Medicine, a new specialty area at the time, at USC Medical Center Los Angeles CA. He was certified in emergency medicine by the Medical Board of California in 1974. He joined the Emergency Medicine team at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys after having worked at Santa Monica Medical Center and St. Jude Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Fullerton CA. He went on to work at UCLA and subsequently transferred to USC Medical Center from where he retired in 2020. Dennis dedicated his life’s work to care for and cure with compassion. He was a member of Saint Monica's Roman Catholic Church in Santa Monica. He loved to travel and visited every continent. He enjoyed being a cruise line physician for several years. Dennis also loved animals and always went out of his way to be kind, help others, and go out on a limb to take a stand against injustice. He will be greatly missed by brothers Robert W. Kelly of Canton Ohio and Michael W. Kelly (wife Virginia "Ginger" Kelly) of Kittanning PA, sister-in-law Carolyn Kelly of Slippery Rock PA, many nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, many friends, special friend Maria Grittman, and of course his faithful dog Buddy. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elizabeth Kelly Devine and her husband John E. Devine, brother Ronald E. Kelly, sister-in-law Carmen Kelly, nephew James Devine, and niece Erin Kelly Kline. 

Friends will be received on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. until the time of a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeal Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle Street, Natrona Heights 724-224-8688.  Burial will be private.  To send an online condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.