Margaret (Maggie) Elizabeth Tomshany Kelley October 4, 1938 - February 28, 2024

Margaret (Maggie) Elizabeth Tomshany Kelley, born in Kansas City, Kansas, on October 4, 1938, and died in New Richmond, Ohio, on February 28, 2024. Maggie, first child of Bob and Peg Tomshany, is survived by her husband of 63 years, Don Kelley; her brother Tom Tomshany of Tulsa, Oklahoma; by her daughters Lydia Kelley and Luke Schelly and their children Rose and Ezra; and Megan Kelley and Andy Thomas and their children Stella, Laszlo, and June; and informally adopted Mary Kay Carson and Tom Uhlman, all of Cincinnati. Maggie moved to Oklahoma with her mother and younger brother during World War II. She grew up in Tulsa studying and excelling in art, piano, the classics, and French. She graduated from Central High School in 1956. At the University of Tulsa, she received a bachelor’s degree in commercial art in 1962 and a master’s degree in painting in 1966. After residing in Southern California for seven years, Maggie moved with her family to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1969, where she continued her passion and practice of music, drawing, and painting. In Cincinnati she connected with folk musicians and became active professionally, performing with the traditional string band, Company Comin’. In the 1980s the band performed extensively in Ohio, as well as in Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Minnesota, and Colorado. The band recorded two albums, and Maggie also recorded a solo instructional album for the dulcimer. After years of performing folk and “old time” music, Maggie began studying music composition at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. This serious study of music composition, and a return to her roots in classical music, led her away from folk music as a professional. It began a period of creating unique musical compositions that reflected her knowledge and continuing practice as a visual artist, along with a burgeoning interest in new music, that was all tempered by years of performing traditional folk music. As a member of the Cincinnati Composers Guild, she had her works performed in numerous concerts, and additional works performed in concerts at Cincinnati’s Hoffner Lodge, and by the Blue Ash Symphony. Many of her original compositions were later used in video soundtracks. She also wrote music for children, writing pieces for student plays, eurythmy classes, and Baby and Toddler Music classes at the Cincinnati Waldorf School. Maggie loved, nurtured, and cherished children of all ages. She took great joy in her own children, her nieces and nephews, friends’ children, as well as the many children she came to love through her years of work at the Cincinnati Waldorf School. Maggie was a visionary artist across many disciplines. She held graduate degrees in painting and completed advanced studies music theory and composition. The limitations of medium never constrained her. When she became interested in textile arts, particularly spinning and weaving, she bought a few sheep and used the flock’s wool to felt and crochet artworks and articles of apparel. Maggie’s love of music kindled her learning and subsequent performance on piano, guitar, lap dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, and autoharp. She collected drums, bells, and other hand instruments, always wanting to be sure that she’d have an instrument for everyone to play at family gatherings. Maggie Tomshany Kelley’s paintings and drawings reflected her keen intellect and curiosity about the natural world and beyond—to the surrounding universe and our place in it. Her artworks demonstrate a mastery of color and craft, and a broad understanding of the history of art. Her music compositions are informed creatively, and in significant ways, by her experience as a visual artist—rich in color and texture, masterfully crafted, and strikingly original. Maggie was a life-long student. She participated in anthroposophical study groups in Cincinnati and was a member of the Anthroposophical Society. Maggie loved this world—both the seen and the unseen. She was a long-time volunteer at the Literacy Council, believed in the goodness of people, and in the healing force of nature. Maggie honored her values through action and always saw the good in the rest of us.

Donations in her name can be made to any of the following organizations:
Cincinnati Waldorf School’s scholarship fund for students and/or faculty
Hospice of Cincinnati
The Anthroposophical Society in America