Mrs. Kathleen Mereda Kelly Brucker

Kathleen Mereda Kelly Brucker, 72, of Salem, SC, wife of Steven C. Brucker, passed away surrounded by family on April 5, 2025, at Cottingham Hospice House after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, and raised near Philadelphia, PA, Kathleen was the daughter of the late John L. and Mereda Talley Kelly. She spent summers growing up at “The Shore” in Lavalette, NJ, instilling in her a lifelong love of the water, swimming, and any kind of boat ride. Kathleen earned a B.S. in Nutrition and Food from Drexel University and completed a Dietetic Internship at Barnes Hospital before obtaining her certification as a Registered Dietician. Kathleen employed this certification in her corporate career in the food and nutrition services industry with experiences in hyperbaric medical research, hospital food and nutrition services administration, nutrition education, and corporate test kitchen research, development, and marketing. After marrying, Kathleen left her corporate career to pursue a new role as wife and mother. She was incredibly thankful for the family’s opportunities to live as “expats” in Australia and Dubai, cherishing the adventures that came with living overseas. During her time as a homemaker, Kathleen took on so much more. Never one to sit still, Kathleen taught swim lessons, volunteered extensively, and acted as the ultimate caregiver to everyone she met. Kathleen led by example, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother in Oswego, IL and a Girl Scout Troop Leader in Oswego, Dubai, and Naperville, IL. After retirement, she acted as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for children and youth who had experienced abuse or neglect and led a program that provided swim lessons for students at Keowee Elementary. As a member of Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Clemson, SC, Kathleen served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, sharing her faith and companionship with those homebound and unable to attend Mass to receive the sacrament. Kathleen found joy in the little moments of life like dancing in the kitchen, catching up with an old friend, cuddling her kitties, attending a play or concert, or pursuing any of her numerous hobbies including watercolor painting, gardening, or maintaining her Spanish and Italian language-learning practices. In addition to her husband, Steve, Kathleen is survived by her children: John Brucker (Lyndsay) and Betsy Harris (Rich); siblings: Jack Kelly (Chris), Karen Purple (Bob), Patricia Kelly-Evans (Bill); and countless cherished friends from throughout her various stages of life. In addition to her parents, Kathleen was predeceased by her brother, Jim Kelly, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends whom she loved. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Saint Andrew Catholic Church with reception to follow at the church. A graveside service is planned at Calvary Cemetery in Media, PA. Date and time are yet to be determined. Flowers will be accepted, but in their stead, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Foothills, Cottingham Hospice House, Attn: Foundation Office, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC 29672.