Denise Kelly Hart's Obituary
Denise Kelly Hart, 75, of St. Petersburg, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 19, 2025.
Born on February 21, 1950, Denise was the cherished only child of the late Victor and Esther Kelly. A true daughter of Pinellas County, she devoted more than three decades to its children as a beloved educator. Rising through the ranks with quiet determination and boundless care, she served as principal of the county’s largest school campus for many years and later as assistant superintendent of Pinellas County Schools. Denise had a passion for history, traveling the world, and for all of her Afghan companions.
To the thousands of students who passed through her hallways, Mrs. Hart was far more than an administrator—she was a steady hand, a calm voice in chaos, and a fierce believer in every child’s potential. Teachers remember her walking the corridors with a smile and a sharp eye, always ready with encouragement or a gentle course-correction. Countless young lives were shaped for the better because Denise Hart refused to let any student feel invisible.
Though she never had children of her own, Denise considered the children and educators of Pinellas County her family. Her legacy lives on in every former student who still hears her voice saying, “You can do hard things,” and in every teacher who tries to lead the way she did—with grace, fairness, and unwavering devotion.
Those who knew and loved her are invited to honor her memory by performing an act of kindness for a child or educator in her name.
Denise taught us not just how to educate ourselves, but how to care, the most important lesson of all.
A memorial service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Sunday, December 14th at 2 pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Denise?
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Share a story where Denise's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Denise you’ll never forget.
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