Mrs. Gertrude (Trudy) Kelly, a figure well-known to all at New Hyde Park Memorial High School for many years as the head clerk, principal's secretary and faculty adviser for the Romanettes Kick-line Squad, passed away last week after a long illness.

Mrs. Kelly served the Sewanhaka Central High School District for 46 years, as the secretary at New Hyde Park, to many distinguished educators and leaders, including Dr. Jerome Niosi, Mr. Peter Egan, Ms. Carol Clarke, Mr. Gerard Connors and, most recently, Ms. Loretta Nugent. In addition to the duties as the principal's secretary, she was also the head clerk, supervising the administrative services and needs of the many departments and programs at the school. It was often said that "nothing went on in the school without passing through Mrs. Kelly's desk in the main office."

Notable also was her contribution as the coach of the Romanettes, New Hyde Park's outstanding kick line squad. This was indeed the love of her professional life equal only to her untiring and unwavering commitment to the administrators, faculty, staff and students at New Hyde Park. She devoted many hours and so much of her energy training the "high-stepping, high-kicking vivacious Romanettes," helping develop new routines, encouraging and inspiring her girls to higher levels of perfection and creativity, much to the enjoyment and delight of all who witnessed their performances at homecomings, pep rallies, village parades and football and basketball games.

Mrs. Kelly brought to her professional assignment not only the perspective, dedication and loyalty of a skilled and well-trained administrative assistant, but also that of a teacher and parent. After work she attended classes at Queens College, earning a baccalaureate degree and certification as a secondary school teacher of Home Economics. In addition, she was a very proud mother and took great pride in the professional accomplishments of her daughter, Dr. Susan P. Kelly, former chair of the English Department at New Hyde Park Memorial and currently Director of Curriculum and Instruction K-12 for the Island Trees School District.

She will also be remembered by the many adults attending adult education classes on Thursday evenings at New Hyde Park. Serving for many years as the secretary to the supervisor of adult education, Mr. Frank Terranova, she greeted all who registered and provided the assistance and services needed by both faculty and students alike throughout her tenure.

Last, but hardly least, was her deep involvement with co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as homecoming, proms, class activities and reunions, commencement ceremonies, Blue-White Night, Girls Leaders Corps, student exchange programs, concerts and the 25th and 50th New Hyde Park Memorial Anniversary celebrations. With great enthusiasm she was always ready to lend a hand, giving those seeking her assistance the benefit of her many years of experience and know-how.

At a reception honoring her retirement last year, she was described by her friends as a "whirlwind of energy driven by her desire to make New Hyde Park Memorial the best school around." A longtime Garden City resident, at the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Garden City, she was eulogized as a devout catholic and devoted mother. Mrs. Kelly leaves behind an unparalleled legacy of dedication and sevice to the entire New Hyde Park community.