"Thank you, Lyndsey. xoxo Mary"
In loving memory of
Heather Marie Kelly
June 22, 1982 - January 9, 2014
Heather Marie Kelly
June 22, 1982 ~ January 8, 2014
Beloved Daughter, Sister & Aunt
Never more will the wind
Cherish you again,
Never more will the rain.
Never more
Shall we find you bright
In the snow and wind.
Like a bird out of our hand,
Like a light out of our heart,
You are gone.
by Hilda Doolittle
Heather is no longer held in our arms, but she''ll live in our hearts and memories forever.
Heather was my wild child, who ran into life full speed. She was in such a hurry to be born that the nurse caught her while the doctor was still putting on his gloves. She immediately decided that sleeping during the day and playing at night suited her best. This became her lifelong pattern, which worked well for her job at Montana''s.
Heather was fearless and impulsive. She jumped in the swimming pool at a party which led to swimming lessons before she was 2. She soon swam like a dolphin, frolicking and completely
at ease in the water. She had many ER visits, but claimed nothing ever hurt, even when she stepped on a sewing needle, which broke off in her foot.
Heather and her friends loved to spend their free time outdoors climbing trees, exploring the hillside looking for slimy things and careening wildly down the hill in her wagon. She returned home coated in mud, reeking of nature ~ and glowing.
Learning came easily to her; she loved school and got straight A''s. She constantly questioned everything. She could argue both sides of any issue with equal passion, but she was stubborn.
If she was convinced she was right, she would never give up. Ever. She could be sarcastic and had a temper, but (sometimes) softened it with humor.
As a teenager, she went scuba diving in a cavern and was separated from her group by a silt out. All alone, she found her way out of a cavern filled with impasses. Instead of being terrified, it was a challenge. And she loved a challenge. And adventure. At 19, Heather went on a two week trip to Australia/New Zealand with students from all over the country who were also interested in being medical professionals.
Heather''s delightful, melodious laughter was perpetual and she loved to make others laugh. Her nephew and 5 nieces call her "Ha-Ha" instead of Heather. Her endless smile and sparkling eyes lit up the room. She was a fast talker, who listened well.
She was a unique mix of strength and fragility. She was generous to a fault, lending money when she didn''t have enough herself. She would give anyone the jacket off her back if they needed it. She was a fiercely loyal friend and was deeply hurt by betrayal.
Heather threw herself into things and excelled at everything she ever loved. She went overboard finding the perfect gift. She searched for 10 years for a replacement for her niece''s Mr. Bear. I was looking for a cd of a cat purring and she gave me 3 of them and tried in vain to purchase one from a research project on big cats purring. I'll think of her every time I hear a purring cat.
Heather was my baby, but she also taught me to be sillier, stronger and braver. I am blessed to have had her as my darling daughter and my dear friend. My heart hurts, but there is joy in that hurt, and there is hope in that hurt.
Heather, Wherever I am, wherever you are, my arms are wrapped around you.
A Celebration of Heather's life will be held on January 25th, 2014 at 3:00 pm at Montana's in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Cumming, GA.
Tributes
"Thank you, Susannah. xoxo Mary"
"Thank you, Lauren. xoxo Mommy K"
"In my memories Heather is always smiling. She had the most beautiful smile--it just seemed tor radiate out of her. I will forever remember all the adventures that we had together as children, at Roswell Elementary, at Girl Scouts. My heart goes out to her family and her loved ones."
"Heather was pretty awesome. I worked with her for several years at Montana's. We were part of a family. She was such a hard worker, and even on the nights when you thought you were going to lose it she still had a smile on. I'll never forgot the endless nights/mornings we all spent closing down the bar, hanging out, playing the jukebox and laughing hysterically at whatever deserved it at the moment. My heart goes out to the family - Heather's immediate and the Montana's one. All my love!"
"Heather was my first friend I made in high school. She was 2 grades ahead but we instanty became best friends the 2nd week of school and she never treated me as though I were younger. We did everything together in high school, spent weekends and sometimes longer together. We were replicas of each other. Our friendship continued on and stayed exactly the same through college and into our 20s until the day she died. We went through high school, college, parties and life together. We worked at Montanas together too and she made it the most fun job I have ever had.She has given me almost 17 years of amazing memories for which I will forever cherish. My life will never be the same without her beautiful smile and randomness. She was always there for me no matter what. I never had to explain anything to her she just understood me. She had the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met and there isn't anyone who didn't love her. My deepest sympathies to her mother, Mommy K and her sister Lea. I love you both!-Lauren Robinson"
"My condolences to the Kelly family on your loss. Heather was an exceptional young lady with a golden heart. I and many others will miss her presence. God bless her soul.Tom CagleAlpharetta, Ga"