Passed away peacefully after a short illness on May 22, 2015 at the Victoria Hospice, once a maternity ward of the Royal Jubilee Hospital where she was born on March 11, 1956. She will be dearly missed by her husband Brian Kelly, sons Brendan (Vivienne) Terence and Samuel, grandson Finn, brother Mark, sister Kathy and many extended family members and friends in Canada, Scotland and Ireland. Jane grew up in Victoria, attended Mt Douglas Secondary School and graduated with a BFA from UVic in 1977. She worked for the provincial government and later at the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal before settling in North Vancouver where her boys were born. Jane spent most of the past 20 years living abroad in Dublin and achieved great success as a curator of numerous art exhibitions. She travelled extensively around Europe with her family and took real pleasure in exploring the art and culture wherever she went. Jane was a truly thoughtful, kind and cheerful person, beautiful in form and spirit, who was loved by everyone who knew her.
Her family would like to thank all of the staff at the Jubilee and especially the hospice nurses who cared for her so tenderly in her final days.
‘Solas na bhFlaitheas uirthi’
No service. A celebration of Jane’s life will be held at a later date.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Siobhán Jordan
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Glen Schaefer It was a shock to hear recently of Jane’s passing. Kathy and I and our girls spent many happy days and nights with Brian, Jane and the boys when our children were babies and toddlers. The Kelly-Ross cottage on Kinloch Lane was the scene of many a riotous two-generation celebration of life in the moment, and dreams shared of the future. It is clear from the words above that many of Jane’s dreams and ambitions were later fulfilled, though cut short too soon. Jane lives vividly in our memories, making her loss that much harder to comprehend.
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Susanna Halskov I’m so sorry to hear and very sad to learn that Jane is no longer with us. We spent many summers at the lake at Auntie Debbie and Uncle Peters summer home. We did not stay in touch after our lives got busy with work and families, however I was more in touch through her sister, Kathy and Auntie Debbie. My heart goes to all her family near and far and know that I (as well as my sister, Martina and brother Michael and our mother Isabel) send our deepest sympathies. We will always have our memories of Jane. God bless you all.
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Linda Olivier Very saddened to hear of Jane’s death. I knew her from Deep Cove.
She was generous, a talented artist and a caring wife and mother. She had a great sense of humour.
I hope that she was comfortable and felt loved when she died.
Condolences to Brian, Brendan, Terence and Samuel. I remember you all from happier times.
I hope that eventually your family will pass through the grief of losing such a graceful soul.
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Marty Kelly Deeply shocked at this news. Its testament to Jane that so many years later I can hear her voice so very clearly in my mind. She was caring, understanding and insightful with me and many others in the Irish art world ; her intelligence matched by her charisma and smile. Grateful to have known you Jane in this life. Thinking of the family. Marty Kelly
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Kay Gibbon Such sad news. Jane you were a beautiful lady. Deepest sympathy to Brian and family and her family we never met in Canada. Rest in Peace.
Tom and Kay Gibbons
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Lorna Gibbons Sweeney You will be sadly missed Jane. It’s rare to meet such an intelligent, thoughtful and kind person. I was very lucky to have met you. You never got to meet my girls, they would have loved you. May you rest in peace. Lorna Gibbons Sweeney x
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Monica d. Church I am truly sorry to learn about Jane’s passing. I worked with her while she was at Blue Leaf Gallery and each time I returned to Dublin would try and look her up. Sadly, I hadn’t been able to find her over the past few years. She was lovely to work with and understood the perspective of artists in a way that is often overlooked and underestimated. Please know that she will be remembered fondly for her intelligence, kindness and support. My thoughts and prayers to her family & close friends.
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Cormac healy Very saddened by the news.
As an artist who exhibited with the BLue Leaf Gallery in Dublin i had the privilege of dealing with jane.
I am very sorry for your lossCormac.
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Suzy O' Mullane i feel at a loss to describe how sad I am about Jane’s passing. She meant a lot to me and I’m so grateful for having had the opportunity to liaise with her at the Blueleaf Gallery. She was so decent and generous always. A gracious and beautiful lady. Really sorry for your sad loss, Brian and the boys. Also, I want to extend my condolences to the rest of Jane’s family. Rest in peace, dear Jane
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Julian Fikus My deep condolences to the Kelly family on this tragic loss. Jane will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was a kind, warm, beautiful person and always a joy to be with. She lifted others up and put their needs before her own. Her daily devotion to her hospitalized mother, over several years, is just one example. She was a good friend to me and we enjoyed many laughs. Miss you, Jane. All my love.
Julian Fikus,
Victoria, British Columbia
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Aengus O'Hanlon Dear Brian and family,
So very sorry to hear about Jane. We’re thinking of you all.
Aengus
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Julie Moroney It is with great sadness that we learn of Jane’s death. Please accept Pearse and my most sincere condolences at your loss… Such a kind, gentle soul taken from us too soon.
Pearse and Julie Moroney
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Barb Packford Stone So very sorry for your loss. She was much too young. Xo
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Vanda Fikus Jane embodied beauty in every sense of the word. She was elegant and classy and it was always a pleasure to be in her company.
I adored her sharp wit and great sense of fun (sometimes peppered with justt a dash of mischief) and, even when the skies were dark, she managed to shine through with her gorgeous trademark smile.
Jane’s passion for art and culture was impressive and infectious. She could draw a crowd by sharing wonderful stories about her career experiences in various galleries, especially her early days in Montreal and more recently in Dublin.
Jane was kind, clever, gracious and extremely devoted to her family.Brian and family, I extend my deepest sympathy to you at this time of profound heartbreak.
Rest ever so peacefully Jane. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
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Shelley Cranston I was so saddened to read of Jane’s passing. I remember Jane being so beautiful, sweet and artistic. It does sound like Jane lived a very rewarding life rich in art , travel and cultural experiences. I hope in time Jane’s family will find comfort and peace in the wonderful memories which have been created by a life well lived.
Sincerely
Shelley Cranston
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Adam Flynn So sorry to hear about your mum, Bren. Thinking of you and all your family.
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Rick Thompson So very sorry to hear of Jane’s passing. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kathy, Brain and the entire family. I will cherish my many fond memories of our carefree days at Lansdowne and Mt. Doug. I have thought of you all many times over the years. Wishing you strength during this difficult time.
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Sandra Zacharias (SANDS) Dear Brian, Kathy, Mark and entire Family,
Bud and I are SO SORRY to hear about Jane! Words can’t express how saddened we are to hear of your loss! Our sad hearts are with You ALL in this time of sorrow! Jane truly was a beautiful person, both inside and out!
We wish You ALL strength and love, and offer our deepest condolences!Love,
Sandra and Bud
xox
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Bruce Kaye My deepest sympathies for your loss. The world is a lesser place made brighter by memories of her. Words are not enough to describe the feelings. My thoughts go out to Brian and the family.
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Anne H. With heartfelt condolences to the Ross family.
Kathy ~ so sorry for your loss ~ maybe our sisters will find each other.
Take care… xo
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Bryan Kingsfield So very sorry to hear of your loss. She was a wonderful woman.
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Thomas Sorry to hear about your loss. My heart goes out to the family.
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Cara McIntyre Very sorry for your loss! My thoughts are with your family! Thinking of you!
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Robyn Smith Thinking of you all. So very sorry for your loss xxxx
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Sarah So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with the whole family.
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David Flynn So sorry to hear of the loss of Jane. Thinking of you all.
I’m so sorry to hear of Janes passing. I worked with her in Dublin and just adored her vivacious positive energy.
She spoke often of her boys and Brian who I’m sure miss her terribly. I am deeply saddned and want to wish all her family and close friends my sincerest condolences