Maria Kelly was born in Emporia, Kansas and raised in Yakima, Washington. A longtime resident of South Whidbey, she was well known and valued as an artist, a healer, a gardener, a poet, and a caregiver to all of God’s creatures. Maria loved to read and to learn, to teach, to laugh, to walk in nature, and to pray, being a deeply spiritual person. A strong believer in community and being a good neighbor, she reached out to and uplifted strangers as easily as friends. Maria had a core value of advocating for those in need and made a lasting difference with minimal means her entire life for so many including animals, plants, and the environment.

The greatest blessing of her life were her children who are mourning the loss of their most precious and incredible mother.

Maria is survived by her four loving daughters Sidney Sorenson, Fancy Scott, Serene Armstrong (Matt), and Joy Crevier (Tom) along with five grandchildren, three of her six siblings, and her wonderful cat.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church on Saturday December 7th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice or WAIF Animal Shelter, Good Cheer Foodbank, or Citizens Against Domestic & Sexual Abuse.