‘Family meant so much to her': Tributes as mother of former First Minister Arlene Foster dies

Belfast Telegraph

21-06-2025

Julia Georgina (Georgie) Kelly passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday.
She was aged in her early 90s.
Originally from Sandy Row in Belfast, Mrs Kelly spent most of her life in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh.
Her husband John Kelly, who survived an IRA murder bid, passed away suddenly in 2011.
A death notice described Mrs Kelly as 'a deadly beloved wife', 'dear mother' and "a loving grandmother' to her 10 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
It said her passing was 'deeply regretted by her sorrowing family'.
'She was the constant within the family, her quiet disposition yet steely strength ensured her family had love and support and stability through very challenging times'
Fermanagh-based victims group SEFF paid tribute to Mrs Kelly.
The group said: 'Family meant so much to her and she was incredibly proud of all of their achievements, all her children - and of course Arlene's various political milestones, but also she took considerable interest in her grandchildren's lives and others throughout the family circle - she was very much understood as the matriarch.'
The group referred to the attempted murder of Mr Kelly, who survived being shot in the head by the IRA in 1979.
The tribute also recalled how, as a teenager, Mrs Foster's school bus was bombed by the IRA in an attempt to kill the driver, who was in the UDR.
SEFF added: 'Mrs Kelly did not have a simple life, she had much to withstand including supporting her husband and family when Provisional IRA terrorists sought to murder him at their home outside Rosslea, and also when Arlene survived the school bus bomb along with other pupils and bus driver Ernie Wilson.
'She was the constant within the family, her quiet disposition yet steely strength ensured her family had love and support and stability through very challenging times.
'For her recent 90th birthday celebrations Mrs Kelly selflessly decided she didn't want any gifts but instead invited anyone wishing to mark it to instead make a donation which would then be given to SEFF. This was a measure of her thoughtfulness and generosity.'
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In a 2016 interview with the Belfast Telegraph, shortly after Mrs Foster became First Minister, Mrs Kelly spoke of her pride.
She said her daughter exhibited leadership skills at a young age.
In the same article, Mrs Foster paid tribute to her mother's steady guidance.
She said: 'Mum's always been very level-headed and doesn't get overly excited about things - I know what you're going to say: so where do you get your temper from then? Well, I'm very quick like my father. Mum's very steady and she was always there. Looking back, you appreciate that.
"When my father was shot, mum internalised her fears and concerns at the time, but her hair went white, almost overnight. And she was just around my age at the time. She was never one for crying and I don't remember tears, though, apart from when we lost dad in 2011."
She added: "Mum and dad were married for 54 years, so obviously it was an awful wrench for her when he died suddenly, and very difficult to get over. She's lucky to have very good friends and three of us close to her, and she gets out and about to her clubs and so on.
"She's very strong and she was a marvellous support to me - as was my late mother-in-law'.
Mrs Kelly's funeral will leave her home on Monday for a service in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Lisnaskea, followed by interment in St Mark's churchyard, Aghadrumsee.