Kelly, Francine (Aida) Derubens

COLONIE- Francine (Aida) DeRubens Kelly passed away early Saturday morning, November 11, 2017 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Francine was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, and was the daughter of the late Francisco DeRubens Jimenez and Aida Francine Quijano DeRubens and her step-father Hidalgo Perez. She was educated in private Catholic French-Mexican schools and graduated from the Universidad Nacional de Mexico with a Bachelor’s in Political Science & Communications. She met and married her husband Wayne in her native Mexico City in 1970, enjoying 47 years of blissful marriage.

Of her more notable career achievements, Francine worked for the Banco de Comercio as a manager of international monetary funds exchange, then co-owned and operated Mexican import stores with her husband in Albany & Lake George, NY. She further operated a beauty shop at the former Ann Lee Nursing Home and owned and operated Francine’s Coiffures. She also taught Spanish at Holy Cross Grammer School in Albany.

Francine captured the attention of anyone in the room with her grace & warm personality; she approached life each day with enthusiasm and passion. She was fluent in four languages and had a love for literature, art, dancing and music. She also had a love for travel that led to many trips to Mexico, Ireland, Maine and Florida.

Francine took her greatest pride in her three children, eight grandchildren and their many accomplishments. She enjoyed the numerous visits by her nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces and cousins from Mexico. Among many other virtues, she especially instilled in her children & grandchildren the importance of family, keeping close ties to her family in Florida as well as Mexico.

Francine is survived by her husband Wayne J. Kelly; her children Chantal (Randy) Ortagus of Rockledge, FL, Adriana (Bradd) Connors of Cohoes and Bryan (Carolyn) Kelly of Albany; her brother Jesus (the late Marta Elena) DeRubens, MD of Mexico City, Mexico; her sister-in-law Pamela M. Kelly of Albany; her grandchildren Ricardo (Ricky) J. Romeu-Kelly, Roberto G. Romeu, Bayley A. Connors, Antonio R. Romeu, Brynn E. Connors, Maeve E. Connors, Lauren E. Kelly and Katelyn M. Kelly. She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces and cousins. Francine was predeceased by her siblings Lupita DeRubens Giron,Alicia Perez Quijano Martin, Gerard DeRubens, Elizabeth DeRubens Arochi, Gabriel DeRubens and Patricio DeRubens.

Francine’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to the medical professionals, personal doctors and caregivers at St. Peter’s Eddy’s Hospice for their continued care. Special thanks to Robert Busch, MD and David Putnam, MD for their many years of medical care and personal friendship. They further thank their extended family and friends who also have offered their prayers and support throughout this long ordeal.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 9:30 am in Historic St. Mary’s Church on Capitol Hill. Relatives and friends are invited and may also visit with Francine’s family on Tuesday November 14, 2017 from 4-7 pm in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home 490 Delaware Ave. Albany. Interment will be at 12 noon in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers those who wish may send contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.