August 27, 1993 – December 25, 2010
Keely passed away peacefully Christmas Day evening, after a long battle with Juvenile’s Huntington’s Disease, with her Grandma and her best friend by her side. She is survived by her grandmother Jan Todd, mother Meaghan Todd (Stavros), father Lance Kennedy, grandparents Barb and Vic Kennedy, great-grandfather Clive Balfour, Auntie Mandy Kempster (Dan), cousin William, Uncle Bob Kennedy (Angie), cousins Colton, Alicia and Robyn, her best friend Lisa Pryer, her Auntie ‘Colle LeJeune, her cat Booger and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. We will miss her infectious laugh, her beautiful smile and her absolute love of life. Keely’s obsession with stuffies often had Grandma threatening to buy a bigger house just to hold them all! She spent 4 years riding with Victoria Riding for the Disabled and absolutely loved “her” horse Faensi. She attended McKenzie Elementary School, Colquitz Middle School and was in Grade 11 at Spectrum Community School. A special mention to Etta Epp, her educational aide and friend, who has been with Keely since Grade 6, and whom Keely loved dearly. Keely had a love of hockey, especially the Victoria Salmon Kings (her “cutie patooties”) and particularly her friend Marty the Marmot. The presentation of one of Wes Goldie’s jerseys before he left the team was one of the happiest days of her life.
We would like to acknowledge the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Shriners Club, Variety Club, President’s Choice Children’s Charity, and Giving In Action, whose generosity enriched Keely’s life in the last few years, and allowed her to remain at home with Grandma. A very special thanks to the wonderful staff of 4 North VGH Paediatrics, especially Erin, Heather and Jill, the amazing staff at Victoria Hospice, and the home nurses and caregivers who allowed Keely to have nearly a month at home before entering Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Keely’s memory to any of the above charities, VGH Paediatrics, Victoria Riding for the Disabled, the Huntington’s Society of Canada or Victoria Hospice.
A Memorial service for Keely will be held at McCall Bros., 1400 Vancouver St., Victoria, on Friday, December 31, 2010 at 2:00 PM, with a reception to follow. The family requests that if you have a Salmon Kings or Vancouver Canucks jersey, please wear it to the service in honour of Keely. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
32 Responses
Keely might have liked this biological, aetheistic poem to be read to her family and friends –
do not stand at my grave and cry,
i am not there; i did not die.
i am a thousand winds that blow,
i am the diamond glints on snow.
i am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight;
i am the stars that shine at night.
do not stand at my grave and cry,
i am not there; i did not die.
long hugs.
Heard about keeley’s passing from Alison and Ben Nye (I am Ben and Alison’s neice) and although I only had the opportunity to meet Keeley once, at their wedding, I remember her smiling face and lovely spirit. She was a sparkplug!