Constance Beverley Kelly
Jan. 13, 1918 – May 11, 2016
Connie was born on January 13, 1918 in St. John, New Brunswick, and died on Salt Spring Island on May 11, 2016. Her family moved to Montreal while Connie was a girl, and she attended Westmount High School there.
Connie had a love and talent for art, developed further after her family moved to Vancouver in 1936. She was self taught, and enjoyed her skill over many years, until she lost most of her sight. As a young adult, Connie worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, in the offices then at the foot of Granville Street, as a dispatcher working shifts. During that time, she drew a pencil drawing of C.A. Cotterell, who was Assistant General Manager of the Mountain Railway, and Connie’s picture was featured in the railway’s advertising. She loved to do landscapes, but she developed real skills as a portrait artist too. One of her best was of Norma Shearer, which was actually purchased by the actress herself. She painted Margaret Trudeau, and received a personal letter of thanks when she sent the portrait to her.
Connie married Leonard George Kelly at St. John’s Anglican Church in North Vancouver on September 16, 1950. They soon moved to Salt Spring Island to start a new life there. Connie continued her painting as she raised her family; her postcards were sold in the local stores as were her oil landscapes. Connie was always an active member of the Anglican Parish and its choir, and was a founding member of the Salt Spring Singers. The first choir she joined was in 1936 in Vancouver.
Connie leaves behind her three children: Patrick of Victoria, daughter Asia Moore (Jim) also of Victoria and Michael (Marianne) of Courtenay, as well as grandson Aaron McKenty & great granddaughter Galia McKenty of Nanaimo. Her sister, Joan, of Pasadena, CA will miss their frequent phone visits.
Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Barclay, our Ambulance crews, the nurses and staff at Lady Minto Hospital and at Greenwoods, to the members of the Anglican congregations and choir and to Connie’s friends & care givers at Meadowbrook, especially Sylvain and Yvette.
Funeral service will be at All Saints by the Sea in Ganges, on Friday, May 27th at 2:00.