Kelley did not begin her professional life in the funeral industry. For nearly three decades, she worked in law offices, most recently as a business manager for a firm in Lake Forest, Illinois. The work was steady but demanding, and after years of managing the fast-paced environment of law, she knew it was time for a change.

That change came through a friend, Pete Skendziel, who had recently joined Piasecki Funeral Home. Pete described the flexible hours and the rewarding nature of the work. Intrigued, Kelley decided to give it a try. She soon discovered that Piasecki was more than a workplace. It was a supportive community.

Kelley’s role is unique because it bridges two areas of the funeral home’s operations. In the office, she supports long-time Office Manager Patty Santiago, assisting with daily tasks, answering calls, and helping families navigate paperwork. Out of the office, she may be greeting guests, driving the hearse or family van, or helping to set up for services.

“Whatever I’m asked to do, I do it,” she said.

This flexibility is part of what makes her invaluable to the Piasecki team. Whether behind the desk or standing beside a grieving family, Kelley ensures everything runs smoothly.

For Kelley, the most meaningful part of her role is being there for families.

“They don’t know the ins and outs of a funeral like we do, because we do them every day,” she said. “It’s like buying a house. If you only buy one in your life, you need someone to guide you through the process. That’s what we do for families.”

She finds special purpose in helping to make each service personal. From honoring unusual requests, such as placing a pack of cigarettes in a loved one’s casket, to ensuring family members have private time to say goodbye, Kelley and her colleagues are committed to honoring what matters most.

Many people don’t realize how much coordination goes into planning a funeral.

“From the moment someone passes, we’re handling details. Transportation, arrangements, clergy, cemetery, flowers, luncheons. And it all has to happen in just days,” Kelley explained.

Families rarely see that side of the work, but Kelley finds satisfaction in making it seamless for them. “Our job is to take on the stress so they don’t have to,” she said.

Because of her work, Kelley encourages families to talk openly about funeral pre-planning before a loss occurs.

“It may sound like a morbid topic, but it’s really not,” she said. “If you don’t, your family is left sitting there saying, ‘I don’t know what they wanted,’ and they may always question if they made the right decision.”

Even without prepayment, she believes discussing wishes in advance can be a tremendous gift.

Funeral work is emotionally charged, and Kelley has found ways to balance professional compassion with personal well-being.

“You can’t bring everything home with you,” she explained. “Of course it’s stressful, but I try to learn from each family and carry that into how I can help the next. Once I’m home, I focus on my life.”

Outside of Piasecki, Kelley enjoys traveling, often joining her partner Mark on his business trips. Marco Island in Florida was a recent and favorite destination, and she is looking forward to Arizona soon.

She also loves cooking and has recently taken up gardening. “Deadheading flowers and even weeding. I find it relaxing and satisfying,” she said.

Family is at the center of her life. She has two adult children, Matthew and Sarah, and three grandchildren, ages 15, 11, and 7. One of her greatest joys is helping get her grandchildren off to school each day. “I get to see them every day, and that’s such a blessing. Not every grandparent gets that.”

Kelley’s outlook has been shaped by personal challenges, including her journey as a pancreatic cancer survivor. Wanting to focus on her current life and its challenges, she prefers to let her interview with the Seena Magowitz Foundation tell most of that story. However, she acknowledges how deeply it changed her perspective.