Kelly Dawn Rice Dolan, age 61 passed away Tuesday December 12, 2023, at her home in Helena after a brief illness.
She was born the third daughter of Don and Patsy Rice in Missoula on May 27, 1962.
Kelly was an outstanding AAU swimmer in her youth. She graduated from Hellgate High School in 1980 and worked in the banking industry for 15 years. She also worked for 23 years in the boating industry in Helena. Kelly was a licensed massage specialist, specializing in Craniosacral Reflexology Young Living Essential Oils and Massage.
Kelly was an avid fisherman, hunter and snowmobiler. She loved her home and garden.
Kelly married Glen Briese in 1985, She later married Robert Dolan in 1996, They celebrated a 27-year marriage this past summer.
Kelly is survived by her husband, Bob; 2 stepchildren, Buck Dolan and Jenny Mae Jourdannais; her mother, Patsy Rice of Helena; sisters, Kathy Garard of Missoula and Kim Brown of Post Falls, Idaho; nieces, Toby Wetsch of Drummond, Kerry Gould of Spokane, WA and Katelynn Brown of Vancouver, WA.
Kelly is also survived by a nephew, Casey Garard of Missoula; four great nephews and three great nieces.
A memorial service celebrating Kelly’s life is being planned for June 27, 2024, in Helena, time and place to be determined.
Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer your condolences to the family or to share a memory of Kelly.
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.
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Stacey Petersen says
Kelly was amazing at her cranio-sacral work and YL Oil knowledge. She was so compassionate, knowledgeable and willing to share what she knew at any time. She was a a huge miracleworker to many people, and will be dearly and forever missed. She left behind a tribe that is heartbroken. Kelly’s wit and smile would light up your day in an instant. I checked FB everyday, just to see her daily doses of sunshine. Kelly has been in my heart, thoughts and prayers the last few weeks, and will I continue keeping Bob, her Mom and her family on that same list – you all were so important to her. She was absolutely an Angel. — an unrelenting cheerleader, realist, and as it turns out a really good friend…..I am so blessed to have had her in my life. She was a phenomenal woman!
Doug &JoAnne Baum says
We were so sad to hear this and our hearts break for Bob & the family. She was a wonderful lady and friend and had such a joyful spirit. She is now flying with the angels God Bless to the family….you are all in our prayers <3
Aimee Estell says
Kelly was the most amazing person and I am so blessed to have had her in my life. We connected right away and had so many things in common. I will miss her dearly as a friend and as part of my natural health caregiver. My prayers for all who were blessed by her love, touch, and compassion!
Jason and Jodi Zolynski Family says
Kelly is Family. We loved her and she will be missed dearly. We will watch over Bob and we are all praying for Kelly’s Mom and Sisters and their kids. Kelly had healing hands and funny stories (while she healed)! There is no one like you miss Kelly. I’m sure you’re giving God a cranial right now. 🙂❤️
Lori Raisler says
To Kelly’s family and friends… We are so sorry for your loss. She was very talented and smart! We will miss her and are thankful we had her in our lives. With love from the Raislers.
Laren Carparelli says
Kelly was a ray of sunshine and I will miss her terribly. I am so sad.
helen fabian says
Dearest Bob and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Kelly was so wonderful and helped me so much through het work. She was always upbeat and talked with kindness about you and her family. May her memories bring joy and comfort.
Valerie Hamer Eickmeyer says
I loved Kelly and she was always so supportive of her family. Patsy has been the best neighbor anyone could ask for. Patsy and Kelly had this special bond and she will be deeply missed by all. Praying for the family,
Octavia says
I knew from the first CranioSacral Therapy appointment with Kelly that she would become one of the most important people I would ever meet. Kelly and I became friends instantly. She was very compassionate and empathetic. Her beautiful smile, charming personality and funny stories were something I will always cherish. I pray for Bob, her mother, family and friends that God will heal their hearts with the wonderful memories of Kelly. I will deeply miss my Beautiful and Amazing Friend Forever!
Chad and Cindy Galbavy says
Bob and Family,
Kelly was always filled with so much love and happiness. She was so caring and kind to anyone. She had such healing hands and cared so deeply for all of her family, friends, clients and anyone she met. She is going to be missed by so many people. We loved hearing about all her stories and we are going to miss our visits with Kelly. Everyone is in our thoughts and prayers.
Stefnie Hill Tower says
This is such sad news to hear. I met Kelly in Las Vegas several years ago. I sat down next to her at a Wheel Of Fortune slot machine at the Golden Nugget and played for hours while chatting it up. We met up again the next day at the Nugget and continued our conversations and laughed and had such a great time. We then became Facebook friends and have stayed in touch ever since. We planned to meet up again some day in Vegas… both of us would let each other know when we were going to see if it would be possible to be there at the same time. I didn’t get the opportunity to see her again in person, but I loved seeing all of her gardening, flowers, and snow pics that she shared on social media, and she would always tell me how jealous she was of our warm & sunny south Texas weather. May you forever rest in peace, sweet Kelly. Until we meet again, my deepest sympathies to Bob and your entire family.
Jiggs and Denise Zolynski says
Our hearts go out to Bob, Kelly’s Mom, her Sisters, and their families. Kelly was a very special friend to me. The first time I met her I felt like I had know her all my life. She had such a caring heart, and just a very fun person to be around. Kelly was so good at doing what she loved CranioSacral and of course YL Raindrop. She was the only person I ever knew that truly had healing hands. We had alot of wonderful times together. Kelly and Bob took us on our first trip to Fort Peck and the Hell Creek Hilton! What a fun time we had. I know your up there using those healing hands on all you meet. R.I.P. my dear friend (Sister) until we meet again. Love you Kelly
Brenda Clark says
To Bob, and family and friends of Kelly, I’m so sorry for your loss. Kelly was a beautiful person in every way. She left us way too soon. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers ❤️
Lorena says
NO NO NO… my go to has gone. I’m grateful to have known Kelly. I learned so much about oils and natural health care. My prayers reside with Bob, her mom, and the rest of the family.
I’ll deeply miss the chance to feel her energy and feel her hands aligning me. She was a special soul.
Luv u Kelly and deeply miss you.
Dillon Twiford says
I worked with Kelly for 15 years an have known her since I was just a baby .she was like an aunt to me. Was always happy to see you every morning at work. An always helped me with by allergies even when meds wouldn’t she would ask me every morning do you want me to do my voodoo magic lol that’s what we called it an it worked every time . She will be dearly missed My thoughts and prayers go out to BOB an her family!
JOE SCANLON says
What a great loss for countess she has touched, to humanity, and to our Montana culture. What a great addition in heaven. Someone truly broke the mold.
Dave Harris / Cheryl Heiner says
Bob, Pat and family. We are heartbroken to hear about Kelly. So sorry for your loss. She was truly one of a kind, with an infectious personality and a smile on her face all the time. Thank you Kelly for the many wonderful meals you shared with us in your home. May the family find peace in the difficult days ahead.
Lorrie and Dave Ostrem says
Kelly was one of the most gifted intuitive healers I have ever met. We were so saddened to hear of her passing. Our hearts go out to Bob, her Mother and family. I always enjoyed listening to her stories and how much she loved her family. Her unique Craniosacral/Reflexology healing method was truly original and helped my husband and I so much. She leaves behind a huge group of forever grateful clientele who will never forget her. She was always willing to help, so giving and caring. I feel blessed to have known her and received her treatment. I’ll never forget her beautiful, smiling face. Boy, we miss you Kelly!
Chris says
Bob and family,
Kelly was an amazing lady and a wonderful person, we will miss her so terribly much! May she rest in peace and may the good Lord grant you all peace amd comfort.
Chris & Tara
Julie Zarske says
I am so sorry for your loss- Kelly was a kind soul with a smile that lit up the room. She will be missed by so many. Hugs and prayers to you.
Curt and Alisa Porteus says
We are so sorry for your loss. Kelly was a true miracle worker, she gave me back my life after a tough back injury. She was always smiling and such a good person, she will be missed. Sending you all hugs and prayers.
Krysta Dziak says
I was one of her clients of her massage therapy business. She really helped me, and members of my friends and family have a better understanding for our health. Kelly had a strength for listening to her clients and caring about where someone’s heart was and who someone was as a person. She made me laugh and I couldn’t believe how much she cared about people. It was incredible especially with this day and age of the toughness for others to connect to each other. We will miss you lovely and all the people you touched on this Earth. Hugs and kisses ❤️💋
Amy & Rick Haggerty says
The world is a much sadder place without your bright smile, hearty laugh and positive outlook on life. What an honor to have called you our friend. You will be missed.
Rick Hunt says
I just heard through the grapevine about Kelly’s passing and wanted to add my condolences and offer a brief memory that folks who knew Kelly later in life may not have witnessed. Although the obituary aptly notes that Kelly was an “outstanding swimmer,” this does not begin to capture how thoroughly dominating and tremendously gifted she was. For many, many years, Kelly was quite simply unbeatable: any distance, any stroke. Not only did she have great natural ability, but she was also the hardest worker — a true rarity. Although I was the exact same age as Kelly, I always considered her to be my role model, athletically. Kelly made everyone around her better, as athletes and people. I left Montana at age fifteen and never heard from Kelly thereafter, but I poignantly remember her commitment, excellence, and kindness. Rest in peace.