The Life of Iva "Kellie" Lee Rourke
Iva “Kellie” Rourke left this world on September 14, 2017 surrounded by
family at Methodist Hospital West in Houston, Texas. She is now
residing in heaven spending time with Jesus and her beloved grandson
Chaz Crawford who was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2006. Iva
“Dimple” Lee Kelley was born in Galvez, Louisiana on August 29, 1940.
The birth and death of this beautiful and fun loving woman is not nearly
as relevant as all the days and nights that she lived to the fullest
between those two dates.
She is preceded in death by her Father, Alton Kelley; mother, Doris Kelley and adored grandson, Chaz Crawford. Left to carry on without her is beloved husband of 35 years, William “Bill” Rourke; daughter, Jamie Ranson Crawford; favorite son in law, Geoff Crawford; step daughters, Patricia Langley and Carol Ann Rourke; stepson, Ken Rourke and daughter in law, Phyllis Rourke. The people that she spoiled and cherished the most during her time on earth were her Grandchildren, Chaz Crawford, Hailee Crawford, Kim Langley, Miles Langley, Emily Rourke, and Evan Rourke. She had seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Terry Kelley; sister in law, Kay Kelley; sister, Donna Kelley; brother, Troy Kelley and sister in law, Peggy Kelley. Adored nieces and nephews include Cindy Nickens, Travis Kelley, Chris Healy, Mike Healy, Grace Healy, Natasha Kelley and Benjamin Kelley.
She was an accomplished business woman and after graduating from Gonzales High School in 1958. She eventually moved to New Orleans where she worked for Chevrolet Motor Division in the capacity of Executive Secretary. After 11 years she was promoted to the first female District Manager in the history of General Motors Corporation. In 1973, Kellie moved to Lafayette, Louisiana. In Lafayette she took a job with Marathon Oil Company in the personnel department. Later she became Personnel Manager of DH Holmes. After a few tedious years of retirement she decided to get her real estate license and was a top producing Realtor for Century 21 Gateway in Lafayette.
Kellie loved living in Lafayette and she became very involved in local business and charitable organizations. She was a member of the Desk and Derrick Club of Lafayette and served as President in 1977. She was also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Auxiliary SPEA and served as President 1988-1989. She was the President of the Acadiana Symphony Women’s League from 1997-1998 and the Vice President from 1996-1997. She served on the Board of Directors of Acadiana Symphony Women’s League from 1993-2013. She was a Charter Member of the Mystic Krewe of the Renaissance Mardi Gras Krewe from 1995-2005 and was Queen Isabella d’Este VII in 2002.
Kellie and Bill moved to Katy, Texas in 2014 to be close to family.
Kellie would not want you to spend your money on flowers. Please honor her with a nice story about her shared with family or friends over a bottle of wine or diet coke on the patio.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers in Lafayette, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 10:00AM until time of service. Graveside service to follow at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.
She is preceded in death by her Father, Alton Kelley; mother, Doris Kelley and adored grandson, Chaz Crawford. Left to carry on without her is beloved husband of 35 years, William “Bill” Rourke; daughter, Jamie Ranson Crawford; favorite son in law, Geoff Crawford; step daughters, Patricia Langley and Carol Ann Rourke; stepson, Ken Rourke and daughter in law, Phyllis Rourke. The people that she spoiled and cherished the most during her time on earth were her Grandchildren, Chaz Crawford, Hailee Crawford, Kim Langley, Miles Langley, Emily Rourke, and Evan Rourke. She had seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Terry Kelley; sister in law, Kay Kelley; sister, Donna Kelley; brother, Troy Kelley and sister in law, Peggy Kelley. Adored nieces and nephews include Cindy Nickens, Travis Kelley, Chris Healy, Mike Healy, Grace Healy, Natasha Kelley and Benjamin Kelley.
She was an accomplished business woman and after graduating from Gonzales High School in 1958. She eventually moved to New Orleans where she worked for Chevrolet Motor Division in the capacity of Executive Secretary. After 11 years she was promoted to the first female District Manager in the history of General Motors Corporation. In 1973, Kellie moved to Lafayette, Louisiana. In Lafayette she took a job with Marathon Oil Company in the personnel department. Later she became Personnel Manager of DH Holmes. After a few tedious years of retirement she decided to get her real estate license and was a top producing Realtor for Century 21 Gateway in Lafayette.
Kellie loved living in Lafayette and she became very involved in local business and charitable organizations. She was a member of the Desk and Derrick Club of Lafayette and served as President in 1977. She was also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Auxiliary SPEA and served as President 1988-1989. She was the President of the Acadiana Symphony Women’s League from 1997-1998 and the Vice President from 1996-1997. She served on the Board of Directors of Acadiana Symphony Women’s League from 1993-2013. She was a Charter Member of the Mystic Krewe of the Renaissance Mardi Gras Krewe from 1995-2005 and was Queen Isabella d’Este VII in 2002.
Kellie and Bill moved to Katy, Texas in 2014 to be close to family.
Kellie would not want you to spend your money on flowers. Please honor her with a nice story about her shared with family or friends over a bottle of wine or diet coke on the patio.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers in Lafayette, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 10:00AM until time of service. Graveside service to follow at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.
