portrait


Edna Patricia Flannery Kelly



(Philomena) Edna was born on 20th August 1906 in East Hampton, Suffolk County, New York; the fifth daughter of Patrick and (Mary) "Nellie" Elizabeth (née McCarthy) Flannery; with sisters Mary Jessie, Madeline Ada, Elizabeth and Katherine. Her father was born in Balloor, Castlebar, County Mayo, and emigrated to America in 1888 - following his brother John.

Edna attended the public schools of East Hampton, and earned a B.A. degree from Hunter College, NYC in 1928.

In 1944 she was elected a member of the executive committee of the Democratic Party of Kings County, New York; re-elected 1946 and 1948.

Edna was appointed Associate Research Director of the Democratic Party in the New York State legislature; designated Chief Research Director in 1944 and served in that capacity until elected to Congress.

She served Congress from 8th November 1949 to 3rd January 1969; the longest serving Congresswoman from New York.

Edna was a delegate to State conventions (1944 - 1968), delegate to Democratic National Conventions (1948 - 1968), and Democratic National Committeewoman (1956 - 1968).

Edna married Edward L. Kelly on 20th October 1928. She was a resident of Alexandria, Virginia until her death on 14th December 1997.


[her portrait is illustrated above; source unrecorded]