Doris Liberto Kelly passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Nursing Home in Catonsville, MD on the morning of July 18, 2024. She was 91.

"Joyful", was the word used to describe her by those who were with her as she let go of that fragile string that holds us here. Throughout her life, love of family was her North Star, her religion was her guiding principle, music and singing were her bliss.

Born in Baltimore, MD on June 9, 1933, Doris was the daughter of Rosario (Charles) and Mary Cascio Liberto.  She was the "baby" and the last surviving of the fourteen children in the Liberto family…4 girls and 10 boys. Ten of the siblings had been born in Mississippi; the last four, including Doris, in Baltimore.  She was a Patricia Stevens model, and also a member of the Baltimore Civic Opera, contributing her strong and beautiful soprano voice to that musical company. From the time Doris was a teenager, she routinely sang for weddings and other church activities both at her own parish as well as at other parishes throughout the Baltimore area.

Doris worked for, and retired from, the C & P Telephone Company where she began as an operator and later transitioned to the office staff at the company's Hunt Valley, MD location. Prior to retiring, she relocated to Maryland's Eastern Shore to a home in Stevensville and that was her commute for some time…Stevensville to Hunt Valley!  After retirement, she moved to her home in Bethany Meadows in Bethany Beach, Delaware. That home was her delight and she filled it with music, her own personal "joy of cooking" and it became a loving and welcoming environment for all who entered.

She was also a valued and devoted member of her church community of St. Ann's in Bethany Beach, involving herself in daily Mass, the Bake Shop for the church bazaar, Sodality, the Prayer Group and above all, her beloved Adult Choir.  Generous of spirit, Doris often related that she had "made some eggplant rollatini" or some other Italian recipe and was taking some with her to one church activity or another to share.

Growing up in Baltimore in such a large family brought with it many shared treasured times and Doris cherished her family most of all.  Hardly a birthday or holiday could go by without one of the family getting a card to either celebrate an event or send well wishes for a holiday…all cards were signed "God's Love and Mine, Aunt Doris".

Doris, too, is and has been indeed the recipient of God's love and we know she was welcomed into His home.

She is survived by a host of nieces and nephews, particularly her Godchildren Grace Porpora Kennedy and Thomas (Pete) Liberto.

Viewing will take place Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 2-4pm and from 6-8pm at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, Delaware. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, July 25, 2024, 11 am at the Church of St. Ann, 691 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE.  Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation may be made in her name to the charity of your choice.