Mary Jane “Janie” Kelly was born in Lewistown, MT on January 6, 1935 to Henry and Delphia Whitaker, who moved to Sidney in late 1936. Before and after her high‐school graduation she worked locally, marrying her high‐school sweetheart, James “Jim” Kelly, in 1953. While stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, in 1954 their daughter, Kyle Jane, was born. Janie and Jim re‐
turned to Sidney in 1955. It was here that she made a loving home and fam‐
ily life, and welcomed the birth of their four sons, James, Joseph, Kevin, and Jeffrey. Living in Sidney until 1978, they moved to Helena, MT to be closer to family. In Helena, Janie earned her license and practiced as a local realtor. In 1986, they moved to the Mission Valley area, living there until Jim’s pass‐
ing in 1996. Following her daughter, Janie moved to Missoula and later to Meridian, ID in 2005, where she lived until her death. Janie had a very eventful life chasing after Jim and their five chil‐
dren. Typical of a Montana woman, Janie had done many things most women of the day would not have done. It would have made a great novel, maybe an even better comedy. Janie was very involved with her children and their activities and still found time to be active in her husband’s businesses and career. A de‐
voted homemaker and parent, she enjoyed cooking for her family, back‐
country horse trips with Jim, gardening, sewing, cards and games, and singing and dancing; she loved life and life’s adventures. Janie enjoyed taking cruises and reunions with her sisters, sharing many laughs together. She had an insatiable hunger for knowledge, which inspired her to enroll in Dawson Community College where she earned an Associate Degree. Janie spent many hours reading everything and anything. She wrote many publishable short stories. She enjoyed many clubs, actively participating in Sweet Adeline’s, Mission Valley antique car club, Backcountry Horsemen’s Club, PEO, and a writer’s club. Janie’s affiliation with senior citizens’ centers was a very impor‐
tant part of her life. Mary Jane “Janie” passed away peacefully on Monday, June 7, 2010, in Meridian, Idaho. She is survived by: her daughter, Kyle Kelly (Steven) Miller, of Me‐
ridian, ID; her four sons, James C. (Donna) Kelly, Three Forks, MT, Joseph M. (Patricia) Kelly, Woodland Park, CO, Kevin J. (Brit) Kelly, Kuna, ID, and Jeffrey L. Kelly, Longmont, CO; two sisters, Shirley Staddler and Dorothy Horn, a brother, Terry Whitaker; twelve grandchildren and eight great‐grandchildren, three sisters‐in‐law, three brothers‐in‐law, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, James L. “Jim” Kelly; her parents, Henry and Delphia; and a brother, James and sister, Judy. In Loving Memory Of
Janie Kelly
SAFELY HOME
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-You shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!
Mary Jane Kelly
“Janie”
Born January 6, 1935
Lewistown, Montana
Died June 7, 2010
Meridian, Idaho
Graveside Service 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 12, 2010
Newlon Cemetery
Sidney, Montana
Presider Father Ned Shinnick
St. Matthew’s Catholic Church
Sidney, Montana
Casketbearers James C. Kelly
Kevin J. Kelly
Steven R. Miller
Joseph M. Kelly
Jeffrey L. Kelly
Robert W. Horn