On the Morning of Tuesday July 3rd, 2018 Donna Ray Kelly 62, of Helena, Montana passed away unexpectedly and peacefully of natural causes. She was born October 3rd, 1955 to Mel Armstrong and Lorraine Reseck in Red Lodge, Montana. Donna truly was an Angel walking on earth. Anyone who was privileged to know her or call her a friend has said this to be true. She spent most of her childhood in the Plains and Paradise area of Montana.
After she grew up and started a family, she resided in the small community of Dillon, Montana where she formed life lasting friendships.
She was the voice of KDBM radio for many years. She enjoyed watching her kids grow up, play sports, attend dance recitals, and looked forward to baseball games and Bannack Days every year.
Once relocated to Helena, Donna worked in advertising with the Independent Record Newspaper.
She eventually transitioned into the Real Estate field where she truly found her passion and calling. She built many connections working for Bill Walker Realty, REMAX, and Elkhorn Mountain Realty with her partner for almost 20 years!
You couldn’t find a better friend, listener, cheerleader, advisor, and confidant. Her love never wavered. She was a timeless beauty with a contagious laugh and smile. She was a woman with traditional values, and a progressive mind who learned the skills that a woman of her era would, including cooking, sewing, and knitting.
She was also an avid bird watcher and picture taker. She loved using her phone, so she could post them on Facebook for her friends to see! She took much pleasure making sure every bird within a five-mile radius would be fed for the winter. Donna saw beauty in all life, especially her plants and flowers she nurtured on a daily basis.
Her greatest quality was her positivity and he ability to encourage all to make the best of everything. She believed there was no obstacle you couldn’t overcome. I can hear her say……“You can do it!”, or “It will be ok, it always works out!” There was never a harsh word, just a kind gentle smile. One with rarely a frown, and almost always smile. I hear her voice as she says kind words to all who she knew.
Our Mother taught us many things such as a strong work ethic, good manners, respect, and sound moral values.
These values shaped who we’ve become, and I thank her so very much.
In the air I breathe, I know she is there to guide and protect all who she loved. I will forever be grateful. It’s been an honor to share my precious memories of our mother. She will be missed by all, but her memory will live on in us forever.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents Mel and Lorraine Armstrong and her brother Buddy.
She is survived in death by her Loving sister Knoxann, and brothers Scott, Randy, and Rusty, along with cousins who were more like sisters/best-friends Billie, Deanna, and Libby of Plains Montana. Harold Kelly of Helena, Montana is the father of her three surviving children,
Roy Kelly of Chinook, MT, Margaret “Maggie” Kelly of Seattle, WA, and Casey Kelly of Helena, MT, as well as their spouses Renda Kelly, Britney Kelly, and Martin Norman. She has six surviving Grandchildren starting from oldest Carson Kelly, Amyerah Kelly, Akaysha Kelly, Ayzlee Kelly, Justus Norman, and Devyn Kelly whom she loved more than anything in this world.
Lastly, Mom is survived by Steve Murphy of Helena, MT who was her life partner, Best Friend, and Soulmate. The bond they shared will never be broken and their love is everlasting.
In consideration of such an unexpected passing, a memorial service or gathering for close friends and family will be held on a later date and time to be determined and posted through social media. We are blessed to come from a community who truly cares and supports one another. Our family would especially like to thank the 1st responders who worked valiantly trying to save her life.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Tri- Lakes Fire Department as well as the Lewis and Clark County Humane Society, as Mom loved not only caring for people but also animals. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Donna.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Share
Teresa Lightbody says
My heart is broken. What a loss for our real estate family! Donna was a very kind, gracious person. To her family… please know how proud she was of her children and grandchildren. I loved hearing how excited she was with each new grand baby. To her co-workers at Elkhorn Mountain Realty…I know you all thought so much of Donna, let her kind spirit live on in each of you. Rest in peace dear friend. I raise you up in prayer.
MARY NICHOLS says
293 Brookfield Dr
Candi Whitworth says
I have such wonderful memories of Donna. We spent so much time together while our kids were growing up in Dillon. Some of the best times were at Bannack Days as reenactors with our kids. Donna was an amazing mother and friend. I will never forget our Thelma and Louis night, camping, swimming, picnicking and just spending time together. I just can’t believe she is gone. My heart goes out to her children and she will always be in my heart.
Nancy Young says
To the family of Donna Kelly. Words cannot express the pain you’re feeling. My family sends their deepest sympathy to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Isaiah 25 verse 8.
Bill Harwood says
A beautiful obituary for an amazing woman. Donna was the sweetheart of the class throughout our Jr and High school years. It is such a shock to lose her so early in life, yet it is great to see how she lived it to the max! I lost a lot of years in keeping up with Donna and many of my classmates being overseas, so I am thankful for social media to reconnect. It has been fun to read and interact the last few years as we posted our ‘pride and joys’ (our grand kids:) as well as our love for nature. I will miss my friend, and, yes, Donna’s memory will live on in all of our hearts. Blessings on all of her family and dear friends. May the God of comfort meet you in this time of grief.
Jonathan and Beth says
Thoughts and prayers from Jonathan and Beth Ries. We were blessed to know her for almost 20 years.
JulieMillam says
Miss you so much already…..you were such a wonderful friend and co-worker. Your kindness and help was unreal.It was an honor to know you and I will always treasure our friendship…
Tracy says
I am truly heartbroken and it wasn’t just two weeks ago that we had a conversation. She was always so kind and never a bad word. I do know that she loved her family very much each new grand baby brought her so much joy as well as Steve did. She was a wonderful friend and coworker. Rest in peace my dear friend. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Marilyn Connor says
Donna was such a special friend and I will always feel blessed to have known her. She’s flying with the angels now, but I can’t help but think that was versed in that role here on earth – anyone that was touched by her had to have known how lucky they were.
kim cripps says
omg so in shock hugs and prayers . donna will be missed she was an awesome friend and fellow realtor. I am here if you need anything
Dean Retz says
During the past few years I have had the pleasure of working with Donna, and she was so helpful and thoughtful!!! I was so distressed when I called a while back for her and found out that she had passed away.
What a shock to be gone at such a young age. God bless -Donna.
Alan Hoskins says
Growing up in Plains and knowing Donna over the years has been a pleasure. She was one of the kindest people you would ever meet. She was like a big sister to me and a great friend. I will never forget how positive she always was with her outlook on life. I will miss her dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with Donna and her family.
Deb Sanks says
Maggie I just found out today that your past away
in July, I didn’t know. Your Mom was a very good
Friend of mine she was a total Blessing to be
around, I knew you and your brothers when you
Lived in Plains. She was a Wonderful woman
both inside and out. She is terribly missed
Montana friend says
John 3:16
May your rest be in our Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever.
Carson K says
I just want to thank the person who made this article and all the people who commented on this article it has been hard with the passing of Donna and she was a truly amazing person. I always loved feeding and watching the birds with her. There is so many memories i would like to share, but ill just try to keep this comment short. She was the sweetest and most beautiful person i knew. I’m sad that shes gone but i’m happy that she is now in a better place.
KnoxAnn Armijo says
It is 2022 and I miss my beautiful sister everyday. We were making plans for me to visit and I say her number phone call with her number. I called back and no answer. It seems like forever since she has been gone. She tried to call me. I see her photo every day. Her resting place is under a small beautiful tree in Plains Montana where her heart looks out over the Wild Horse Plains. She is surrounded by our Mother, Grandmother and Aunt and Uncle and cousins. Her grandchildren were blessed to have her. They deserved more time.
akaysha kelly says
donna kelly or my grandma gma oranges was the best
Akayshak. says
Thank you all for commenting on this. I miss her so much she wasthe best person on earth literally she was. And the most sweetest grandma.she also was an amazing person.i love you grandma oranges.
Akayshak. says
Thank you all for commenting on this. I miss her so much she wasthe best person on earth literally she was. And the most sweetest grandma.she also was an amazing person.i love you grandma oranges.
ak says
donna kelly was an amazing person she was so kind and sweet. i remember she would always go out every morning and go feed the humming bird and other birds