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
27 Responses
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.
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 loss
Cormac.
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
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
Dear Brian and family,
So very sorry to hear about Jane. We’re thinking of you all.
Aengus
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
So very sorry for your loss. She was much too young. Xo
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.
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
So sorry to hear about your mum, Bren. Thinking of you and all your family.