JOANNE ALISON KELLY

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JOANNE ALISON KELLY

On December 24, 2022, Joanne Alison Kelly passed away. Joanne was 63 years young.

She was predeceased by her loving father Alan M. Eyre, and mother Margaret Eyre (nee Patrick). Born on July 20, 1959, Joanne is survived by her only child Catherine "Pepper" Kelly. Joanne adored Pepper and was as good a mother as could be. Joanne was in the difficult process of separating from her husband of 24 years, Mark Kelly. Other family members who keenly feel this loss are her sister Lindsay McKenzie (nee Eyre) and her two nephews, Reid and Taylor McKenzie of Victoria, BC, as well as In-laws, Harry, Helen and Boudicca Kelly, who maintained a close friendship with Joanne. The family would like to acknowledge Mrs. Farah Collier, of Surrey, BC for her unconditional love and support given to Joanne throughout their 30-year friendship.

Joanne was kindhearted and generous, and her passing was a shock to all of us who knew her well. Her life was filled with her love of friends and her family, as she was especially fond of her nephews, Reid and Taylor, as well she was particularly close to her sister Lindsay, as only sisters can be. Joanne grew up in beautiful British Columbia, where she attended Crofton House School and McGee High School. Her smile would light the room up wherever she would be, and Joanne could be counted on to help everyone feel comfortable and welcome, even if she had just recently met you. Coffee of course, we cannot forget Joannes' love of strong coffee, she would like it very strong, just like she was. Joanne followed her dream and was able to become a professional figure skater at the age of 19. Joanne travelled the World with Holiday on Ice and became a passionate fan of figure skating ever since. As a young girl, Joanne loved riding horses in Southlands just a step from her Marine Drive home. Joanne was also a lifelong BC Lions fan, acknowledging proudly that her father Alan was the first President of the Club, Joanne would watch the CFL with great passion, diligently. Many good Friday nights are remembered enjoying the game, and the sound of her shouting with glee when the Lions scored touchdowns. Joanne loved her time at Dueck on Marine where she enjoyed many friendships working at her father's previous business, as it was under new ownership by that time.

Joanne especially loved the water and in particular, the family cottage on Thetis Island in British Columbia. Many a day was spent soaking up the sun and enjoying the spectacular sunsets, that can only be imagined if you have never seen them. We know that she now is at peace with a coffee and a smile, watching the eternal sunset in heaven.

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf,

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day

Nothing gold can stay.

Robert Frost

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 13, 2023