Sally Kelly
August 28, 1936 – November 01, 2021
View Guestbook Entries
Passed peacefully away at the Health Sciences Centre on the 1st of November 2021, Sally Kelly (nee Hickey) BA, B Ed. M Ed., age 85 to join her beloved husband, Lawrence. Leaving to mourn her devoted sister Maudie as well as brother Tom, sister Mary and sister-in-law Eileen. Predeceased by parents, Stephen and Gertrude Hickey; brothers, Michael (Mary), Edward (Rita), Stephen (Bride), Stan (Mary), Jim (Marion), George (Doll), Vincent, sister-in-law, Kathleen Hickey. brother-in-law, Phillippe Belanger.
Holding her forever in their hearts, the generations who follow her…her children Stephanie (Jim), Linda (Tony), Larry (Jodi), Denise (Jim). Her grandchildren Rhiannon, Delyth (Adam), Rebekah (Jarad), Kyle; Aaron, Sarah (James), Keegan (Kelemoi), Michaela (Shawn); Nicole, Danielle, Meagan (Sean). Her great grandchildren Merlin; Lena, Aneirin; Zoe, Isabelle, Ava, Marcus; Wyatt, Saorise; Waylon, Liam, Ewan, Tara. Sally/Mom/Nan/Nanny Kelly dearly loved each of us and as the generations grew the little ones brought her the greatest joy.
A force of nature wherever she went and a woman of great faith, may she rest in God’s hands now. Visitations at Caul’s Funeral home Friday 2 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm. Funeral service to be held at Mary Queen of Peace 135 Torbay Rd. on Saturday 6 November at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Mount Carmel cemetery on Logy Bay Rd. In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to the Most Improved Student Scholarship at MQP or MQP food bank or the Gathering Place in St. John’s or your favorite local charity.
Sally has worn many hats both literally and figuratively. She has been a daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, business partner, volunteer, friend, and advisor.
Sally’s early years started in Harbour Main but soon moved to Bell Island where she was a diligent if mischievous student. She spoke fondly of the Sisters of Mercy for their love and admired the intelligence they demonstrated in their duties as her teachers. She grew to value education and worked throughout her life to continue her own, and foster that love of education in her children. She had a broad view of education and recognized that people may have a variety of abilities and that although formal education works for some there are a myriad of talents that contribute to the good of all. She could not tolerate a lack of respect for the weak or humble and even at a young age she recognized and demonstrated true love. She cared for her parents while maintaining high standards in her schoolwork.
Sally had plans to go to Boston and complete a university degree. In cohort with her friend Madeline Kelly she made a trip to Gambo for a little summer vacation that changed the course of her young life. There she met Lawrence Kelly.
Lawrence became the love of her life. Together they built a family, a business, and a future. They had six children, three of which survived. They dedicated themselves to being the best parents they could. Sally encouraged her husband when he made the move to start his own business by doing the books even though this was for her an onerous task. You see if it needed to be done, she did it and did it well. Lest you think that their life was all drudgery let me enlighten you. The pair of them were full of the sparkle of life and enjoyed cards, dances, entertaining, reading and travelling to the fullest. They encouraged their children to play music, read, work hard, and make wise decisions. Together they welcomed family, friends and strangers into their home for a few moments, a day, a year. Sally feed everyone with nourishing food and a plate of cookies for dessert. While feeding their bodies she did not neglect to feed their souls with an open ear, good council, and prayer.
Since having a family interrupted her studies, Sally was eager to get back to school and when she knew her own children were becoming established, she signed up for courses at MUN. That lead to her getting a BA, B Ed. and M Ed. In between she her studies she secured a position with the RC school board and began a career that was her passion, teaching. Sally eventually became a Special Education teacher. She worked with her students using every bit of her natural talent, training, and love.
Sally had a huge capacity to organize, and she was always at hand to volunteer for MQP school and church, as well as the Primary Teachers and Special Education Councils of the NTA. Along the way she met many people who became lifelong friends, from Madeline and Monica on Bell Island, to Bill and Molly Abbot, Bill and Sophie Dyer, Alice and Gerry, Jim and Marg, Florence, Annie… Oh I can’t name them all.. they know who they are.
Those who have been close to Sally over those past few years will have witnessed her steady decline in health. Sally was no stranger to health issues. However she was not one to let misfortune keep her down. She struggled on bravely and set out on new adventures so as not to burden her family and friends with her care. She relocated to Tucson, Az for the winter months after the loss of her most precious Lawrence and became known as the Queen of Tucson Estates. When Covid tossed her out of the US and health prevented her from living in her own home she made the decision to move to Tiffany. With the support of her family, especially her sister, Maudie, nieces Michelle and Annemarie, friend Florence as well as the staff of Tiffany Village, she did her best to keep moving forward. For many of us, “Sally’s passing has created a rift in the fabric of the space time continuum”. Sally above all loved to laugh, and being in her company was an event to be celebrated. “A day without laughter is never wasted”.
If you wish to honor Sally and you have…
Seeds of love held in your heart
Be sure to set them free
The tiny plant of love may grow
Into a mighty tree
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sally Kelly 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Torbay, Province: T-N