Ms. Mary Gertrude Tynan Kelly (Solomon), 73, died March 4, 2025, at Carilion Roanoke (Va.) Memorial Hospital.

Ms. Kelly was born June 24, 1951, in Roanoke, Va. Soon after, her father bought a farm in nearby Springwood and the family moved there. A devout Catholic, her father enrolled her in Roanoke Catholic School in first grade and she graduated there in 1969. She studied at Hollins College, earned her associate degree with honors from Ferrum College, received her Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science in 1973 from Virginia Tech and worked for a time in research. But she was a people-person, so she became a waitress and bartender. She loved telling customers about the sights and virtues of Buchanan and her extended community. She lifted the spirits of everyone she met. No one ever had a better friend. A prolific volunteer, she helped with virtually every community event held in her beloved hometown of Buchanan, Va. The Fourth of July Carnival, Magic Mountain, the Buchanan Theatre, the Sun Flower Festival and many more, all enjoyed her tireless service year after year. For four years she was president of the Buchanan Elementary School PTA. An unpaid volunteer, she daily performed chores and provided leadership that kept the school moving forward. Among her other endeavors, for half a century she helped take the U.S. Census. Her painful battle against gall bladder disease and its horrible effects was gallant and courageous to the end. She smiled as long as she was able to. She is preceded in death by father Francis Mortimer Tynan and mother Margarette Kathrine Jewell Tynan.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 11, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Solomon's Mission of Buchanan, Va. Funeral services will begin at 3:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Buchanan.

Memorial donations may be made to Solomon's Mission of Buchanan, Va.

Survivors include companion of 35 years James Solomon of Buchanan, Va.; daughter Bambi Tynan Landes and husband Chad of Rockbridge County, Va.; grandsons, Bryson Tynan of Fairfield, Va., Layne Landes of Rockbridge, Va.; sisters, Clara Boggs and husband Mark of Troutville, Va., Rena Worthen of Springwood, Va., Therese Powell of Clay County, Ala.; brother William Tynan of Springwood, Va.; and a host of nieces and nephews, among them Sylvia Powell of Buchanan, Va.