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Remembrances

January 31, 2014

In Loving Memory
Howard Edward Kelley
(aka Dad, Grandpa, G-pa, Uncle Howdy)
July 30, 1922 - December 8, 2013

After Howard passed away on that Sunday, December 8th, Pat, Susan and Holly left the hospital and arrived back at Pat and Susan’s home in Port Orchard. On the computer near the back door, Susan has a continuous screen saver of hundreds of photos of family, birth/marriage certificates, all kinds of documents/pictures associated with her genealogy research.  At the moment they entered the house, Howard’s picture scrolled across the computer screen! 

Jessica had gone to the hospital on Saturday, December 7th to sit with her Grandpa so he would not be alone. At this point he was on morphine and sleeping peacefully. Jessica kept vigil overnight, with her sister Robin, in order to relieve her parents Pat and Susan so they could go home and rest.  Jessica wore a sweater from Robin’s boutique, Howard and Marge in Burien, Washington, that had a beautiful owl on the front of it.  Unbeknownst to Jessica, Howard loved owls!  This was just one of several events which happened that weekend that just seemed like Howard was letting everyone know all was well, he was well. Jessica Kelley, granddaughter, Seattle, WA -

“Dad performed my wedding to Joe at the Crystal Cathedral. As he started to speak, Dad’s long pause, as he absorbed the emotional impact of the moment, brought tears to many eyes. Then he started with “It all began in the Garden”…and shared one of the most beautiful messages on love and marriage that anyone has ever spoken. My message to him, “Dad, we are rejoicing that you and Mom are now reunited in the holiest of Gardens.” Holly Hagler, daughter, Villa Park, CA

“I love you Dad, forever. Thank you for listening, believing in me, and being such a wise voice in my life.”  Janet Kelley, daughter, Waterbury, CT

“I have my stories of him that we all have shared before. The Kelley ways, as it were.  He will always live on in the stories we tell. A proper Irish eulogy…the one that lasts for generations…that keeps growing with each retelling. I love him for the man he was, and for helping me become the man I am today.” Christopher Kelley, grandson, Mason City, IA

All I can say is that when I visited him several times in Washington, we always had meaningful conversations mainly because when I talked he listened. And when he talked I listened. There was nobody there to interrupt. I miss him a lot! We always had really good conversations. My love to you, Betty.” Howard’s sister-in-law, Paradise, CA

“For me, the name Howard means “father.” I met Howard when I was just 16 years old, so we go way back. Shortly after he moved his family back to Southern California from Missouri, our two families began spending Thanksgiving and Christmas together. My step-father El Dean Wilson was the best man at Howard and Marge’s wedding, and my mom became Marge’s best friend.  I grew to love the whole Kelley family and when I married Steve, we truly became family. And Howard became my “father”-in-law. Even though my marriage did not continue, the sense of ‘family’ did.  Howard was Grandpa to my daughter Amanda and a tremendous source of support while I was raising her as a single mom. He made a “fatherly” commitment back then that I believe made all the difference in her life. After I lost my own dad back in 1998 - two months after my step-father El Dean had passed away - Howard stepped in to be my “father” once again.  All I can say is thank you Howard for the father you were to my daughter, and the father you were to me. I’ll love you forever, D-3.”  Joanna Kelley, Howard’s former daughter-in-law aka “D-3” (Daughter-3), Nairobi, Kenya

“Four and a half years ago I started to work for Howard and Marge. It wasn't really work, it was a true blessing!  My life has forever been changed and touched by them and their entire family. What a quick-witted, funny, incredible, wise, and stubborn man he was! We got along so well because we are both "Leo's." I am proud to be your D-4. You are missed every day but you are home now and reunited with the love of your life, which is we're you have longed to be. Forever and always in my heart, D-4.”  Stacy Wagner, Howard’s “caretaker” aka “D-4” (Daughter-4), Bremerton, WA

"Howard entered my life 30  years ago. I was working for Jack Boland in Detroit at the time. We became close. He 'adopted me.'  He mentored me through a divorce and Jack dying. When I moved to San Diego we made regular trips to visit and they came here. My kids knew them as 'Grandpa Howard and Grandma Marge.'  We spent many Christmas eves together. I will be ever so grateful that he was a part of my life and loved me unconditionally. So much of who I am is because of him. Please share my love and support with all of your family. God bless your heart Howard Kelley!"  Kathie Moehlig, friend/’adopted’ daughter, San Diego, CA

“Grandpa will forever live in my heart, never forgotten.” Katie Kelley, granddaughter, Rockford, IL Poem submitted by Katie. Written by David Ignatow

"We're not going to die,
we'll find a way.
We'll breathe deeply
and eat carefully.
We'll think always on life.
There'll be no fading for you or for me.
We'll be the first,
and we'll not laugh at ourselves ever.
And your children will be my great-grandchildren.
Nothing will have changed except by addition.
There'll never be another as you and never another as I.
No one ever will confuse you nor confuse me with another.
We will not be forgotten an passed over
and buried under the births and deaths to come."

 

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