A BRADFORD woman whose Christmas triplets were a regular feature of local news has died at the of 94.
Joyce Audrey Kelly, from Bierley, died last month on her birthday.
The mother-of-eight, known as Audrey, appeared in the papers back in 1964 when she gave birth to her triplets – Tony, Mandy and Jane – at St Luke’s Maternity Hospital on December 22, 1964.
They became known as The Kelly triplets and were often followed by local newspapers, including the Telegraph & Argus, when it was their birthday or at special times like Easter and Christmas.
Audrey’s family spoke of her life in the city, which included being evacuated during the war, working in a mill, being a chorus girl at The Alhambra and working at the old Norfolk Gardens.
She was born in 1928 on Albany Street in West Bowling, off Bowling Old Lane. Audrey was the youngest of 10 and when World War Two broke out she was evacuated to Haworth.
In later life, she would tell her family stories about these times - of going to school with a heavy gas mask and what the air raid shelter was like.
After leaving Woodroyd School in West Bowling, Audrey followed in the footsteps of her family to work at Dawsons Mill.
At 16, she joined her sister as a chorus girl at The Alhambra in a “dream come true”.
While she could have gone to London, she chose to stay in Bradford “where her heart was”.
Audrey married Ronald Kelly at 18 and they lived on Abram Street, near where she was born, and started a family. Their first child was Marlene, who was followed by Brian, Barbara, Julie and Terence.
They then moved to Raynbron Crescent, Parkside, and when Terence was four years old, Audrey fell pregnant again – with triplets!
Her family said: “They were visited by the Mayor and Mayoress of that year and the midwives were all proud to have assisted the delivery of the babies.
“The famous pram makers Silver Cross made their prams, which back then was a fine gesture as only royals and the wealthy were fortunate enough to have these.”
Audrey’s family grew over the years, and she is remembered by her eight children, eighteen grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Her funeral will be held at St John the Evangelist Church, Bierley Lane, on May 19 at 1.30pm. Family flowers only, donations will be given to Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Neonatal Unit.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here