Vicki Ruth Kelly born July 1, 1938 in Las Animas, CO passed away January 23, 2016 at the age of 77 from complications after heart surgery. Our hearts are heavy — but full of joy with memories of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was united in marriage to James K. Kelly on November 25, 1956 in Albuquerque, NM. They were married for 59 wonderful years.
She is survived by her spouse, James and 7 children; Cindy (Jerry) Watters, Robert (Melanie) Kelly, Ronald (Nilda) Kelly, James Kelly Jr., Colleen (Michael) Harvey, Judy (Josh) Kelly, Cammra (Kevin) Wakagawa, 23 loving grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and over 20 foster children.
Vicki’s family moved from Sheridan WY. to Helena MT in June 1976. Mom’s first job in Helena was at Jorgensen Hotel. After that she managed the Helena Bus Depot where all her kids loved coming to help unload and load the buses. She then started working at a daycare in 1989, where she found her true love, CHILDREN! She decided to open Kelly’s Independent Daycare Service, her own daycare and from that day forward she touched the lives of so many families in the Helena Valley. Vicki worked passionately day in and day out, loving, caring, and nurturing over 600 beautiful kids. Some grew up and had kids of their own and brought them back to Vicki’s daycare.
We never met another person who had a bigger heart. Whether parents could pay or not Vicki cared for every child like her own. Christmas was Vicki’s favorite holiday. She loved buying gifts for all the kids and parents at the daycare, provided food and of course Santa Clause showed up to share this special time and Vicki just stood there beaming with happiness and joy. She will be missed dearly, not only by her family but her extended family she created throughout the years while caring for children.
Vicki believed children were a blessing, but to every child including her own, we feel the true blessing was knowing her.
A celebration of her life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Last Chance Chapel, 6240 Raven Rd., Helena, MT 59602. A reception will take place in the fellowship hall of the church following the service.
Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project, c/o MT Supporting Soldiers, P.O. Box 4964 Helena, MT 59604 or to God’s Love, 533 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601.
Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Vicki.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday January 28, 2016
Last Chance Chapel
6240 Raven Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of Her Life
Thursday January 28, 2016
Fellowship Hall of Last Chance Chapel
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Sherrie says
I am sorry to hear about Vicki she was a wonderful lady and a great daycare she will be missed a lot.
Karissa Kipp (Shelby F.'s mom) says
Our sincere condolences and many thoughts and prayers to Vicki’s family. I am just devastated by this news. My daughter Shelby was one of the kids at the daycare and Vicki was truly the best provider we have ever had. Shelby absolutely adored her and you could just tell she truly cared about the kids and was a really just an all around amazing lady who will be missed very much.
Reva McSweeney says
My Condolences to the family. After my mom passed away two weeks before my son was born Vicki became my mother. She taught me how to care for my new born sons and helped them both grow into the wonderful men they are today. I loved Vicki and her family and I am so sorry for your loss. My prayer are with each and everyone of you.
Copenhaver Family says
This woman may have been little but she was Fierce! We were so sad to hear the news of her passing.
From the time Jacki and Jeri were weeks old, if they were not with immediate family, they were with Vicki at KIDS. They say it takes a village to raise children and Grandma Vicki was vital to our village. She rocked, cleaned, fed, protected, taught, nurtured, laughed, disciplined, cried and most importantly loved our girls as her own! My girls are who they are today – because of Vicki! She is truly one-of-a-kind and her shoes are large. Our hearts and Heaven have a special place for Grandma Vicki!
Hugs and prayers to your entire family. Our thoughts are with you all as she will be dearly missed.
Tracy, Todd, Braden and Kayley Denler says
Oh I am so sorry to hear this news! Vicki was a wonderful lady and we loved her dearly. Our kids went to her daycare KIDS from newborn till school age and they LOVED that place. She treated every child as if they were family. No one will be able to fill her shoes. she truly was an amazing women!
My prayers are with the family she will be missed so much.
ROB AND SANDY ROGGE says
So sorry to hear the news of Vicki. Jim and family, we are thinking of you at this very difficult time. We are out of town now and sorry we will not be there to personally attend her funeral. We never knew Vicki well but Jim has been a friend for years at the VA. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
Julie Massaro says
Vicki cared for my two girls YEARS ago, and was such a caring person! My hearts go out to her family, and extended family!
Joanne Schatz says
Love you Gramma Vicki always there with Hugs!
Janet and Lové says
Our Condolences to the family. We loved Vicki and Jim they where so great to us! Lové went to the daycare from the time she was 6 months old and for a while into her school years. She was always so wonderful and will be greatly missed!
Tanna Bloxom Patt says
Just beautiful, fun memories . Our neighborhood was filled with laughter coming from Vicki’s home. It fills my heart with sadness to know this light has moved on to shine on others.
Debbie Boyle says
I came to know Vicki through Cammie and Jason at the Canyon Creek School. She was a firm believer in education for her children and grandchildren, and I admired that greatly. I was so sorry to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jaime Brockett says
I was deeply saddened to learn of Vicki’s passing. Cami and I became close friends in early high school and through our bond I discovered what an unselfish and kind woman Vicki was. I can still picture Vicki at her daycare, smiling with contented fatigue while I teased her about never retiring because she was so feisty! After reading the kind memories other people shared of Vicki, I realize how much one person can love and be loved in return in the short span of 77 years. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family for this beloved lady.
Tom, Carol, and Coner Dolan says
We are so sorry for your loss. Our son, who is now 26, attended KIDS years ago – best care any of our children ever had in a daycare setting. Some of our grandchildren also attended KIDS. She was a very caring person and will certainly be a loss to this community. Our prayers and condolences to her family — we know you will miss her dearly.
Teri (LaSalle) Armstrong says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. It has been a very long time since I had any contact with any of the family, but back in the day we had some good times. I remember Vicky very fondly.
Kim Mackay says
My 3 girls were so lucky to have been cared for by Vicki at KIDS. So sorry for your loss.
Tiffany Fox says
My family and I were privileged to meet such an amazing person. Vicki was like family to my girls. She loved children and the children knew it. One of my girls refused to let mom, dad, or grandma cut her toenails; however, Vicki could without any fuss and a smile on my little one’s face. On ballet day, I would pick up the girls and Vicki always made sure they had snacks packed in their bag so they didn’t get hungry at ballet. Even with all of her kindness, she fostered important life skills such as manners, problem solving, honesty and much more into our little girls. Vicki was heaven sent and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with Vicki’s family; we are so sorry.
Pelo's says
Vicki was one of the most loving and kindest people we know! We were truly blessed to have her and her family in our lives and especially our kids lives!!! She made us all feel like her daycare was our second home!! And those Christmas parties were over the top!!! What a sad day for so many as she touched so many !!! Love you dear sweet Vicki! Rest in peace!!! You are always in our hearts!!!!! And never forgotten!! Prayers to your large loving family!!! So sorry! Russ, Kim, Ty & Cassie Pelo
Tracy Grove says
Your mother was always my best friend and confidante. I’ve always loved her.I’m sorry we’ve missed so many years. We will miss her greatly. Love Tracy Gehring Grove and Pat, Tim, Mike Grove and Christopher Gehring
Robert & Janice Warn says
So sad to here of Vicki’s passing. Got to know the Kelly’s when they lived in Miles City. We had a lot of fun at their house. Our prayers are with you.
Tom Russell, BCHS class of 1957 says
Jim, I am sorry to hear of Vickie’s passing. May you and you family continue to draw comfort from your rich store of memories. God bless every day.
John, Mary, Kali and Carson Anderson says
I will never forget Vicky’s Christmas parties for the kids and how she treated all of our kids like they were her own. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Thinking fondly about all of you!
RyAnn says
She was so wonderful to my son, and as a young mom she taught me so much also. She will be loving all the beautiful children in heaven. Heaven is blessed as are we with the moments she shared with us. We have always talked fondly of her in our home. This Christmas my son was home from college and he and another friend sat around the table and talked about their memories with her. From the boys in ballet to tikwando and spanish all at once, and the life sized sand box. She held the boys accountable with love and care for their futures. We always felt at home, away from home with her. My thoughts and prayers for all wishing heaven wasn’t so far away.
Candace Ahl says
To the Kelly Family,
I am so so sorry for your loss. I just learned yesterday of Vicki’s passing. She was like my mom. Vicki was so kind to me and helped me out so much in the beginning of my life and is a big part of where I am today. I loved the KIDS Daycare she ran and the kids. I wouldn’t be able to thank her enough. She was a wonderful person inside and out. I am going to miss her and often think of you all. Take care.
Tamara Hintz says
Vicki Kelly was my first boss. I used to work at K.I.D.S. Day care from about 1998-2001. She was a great boss. She was great with the kids. I’m sorry this late I hear about her passing today from my co- worker Dusty Lawrence.