Obituary

May Gudmundina Kelly (Goodman)

May 3,1929 – January 20, 2018

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and sister. May was predeceased by her husband Magnus (Mike), mother Rosa (Amma), father Kolbeinn, sister Bernice, brothers George, Arthur, Mundi, Franklin and Gordon. She leaves to cherish her memory seven children: Roy (Heather), JoAnn Chatten (Chuck), Brian (Kathy), Darlene Halata (Robert), Lori, Gerry (Lynn), Robert (Jessica), 19 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, sister Rosa (Dave), brothers Allen (Evelyn), Eric (Linda), Edward (Jacqueline), her Danielson family, sister June Norton, brothers Roy (Bernice), Jim (Sharon), Dennis (Georgina) and David, as well as cousins and many nieces and nephews.

May was born in the Icelandic community of Hecla Island on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. When May was six she moved to a lovely farm near Gimli Manitoba, which is still in the family today. She was the second oldest of 11 children. She enjoyed working in the fields, gardening, cooking and sewing. At the age of 17 May moved to Winnipeg to work as a seamstress at a clothing factory (Stalls of Canada). May met her husband Mike in Selkirk Manitoba when she was 19. Interestingly, Mike and May were delivered by the same midwife – May’s grandmother (Little Amma).

Mike was a heavy-duty mechanic and moved May and the family around a lot for work. They finally settled in Hudson Hope, BC for 26 years. As wellcas raising a large family, May worked as a camp attendant, assisted in a hairdressing shop and ran a house cleaning business.

May always enjoyed spending time with children and every little person was special in her eyes. The Kelly house was open to all. Some mornings there would be 15 or more for breakfast. In her free time she enjoyed walking, berry picking, making wine, canning, dancing, music, crocheting, curling, boating and fishing. May also enjoyed telling jokes and spreading laughter to everyone around her. May considered herself fortunate to have come from and to be blessed with a big loving family.

 May passed away peacefully in Nelson, BC at the Mountain Lake Seniors home. A Celebration of Life will take place in Hudson Hope, BC at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in May’s honour to a charity of your choice. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.