We are saddened to announce that Kelly passed away on July 10, 2021 at VGH at the age of 64. She is survived by husband Bruce Kellow, daughter Leslie Zozula (Steve), son Steven Zozula (Bronwyn) and grandson Magnus; mother Yvonne Forbes (predeceased by father Bernie Forbes) sisters Karen Forbes (Mark) and Kristie Robbins, brother Mark Forbes (Donna) and nephews and nieces. Kelly was born in Mortlach SK, surrounded by a large extended family until age 14 when her family moved to Victoria. Kelly attended Claremont High and then BCIT. She worked at VGH for 37 years as a Lab Tech, making lifelong friends. Kelly was very creative; she mainly knitted and did weaving, felting and mosaics. She was a foodie who hosted family dinners and loved trying out new restaurants. She enjoyed travelling; highlights were Honduras, Thailand, Nova Scotia, the US and enjoyed road trips. She was an avid reader, loved to shop and enjoyed daily crib marathons with Bruce.
A small celebration of life will take place. In lieu of flowers, please take a friend for lunch, read a good book or plant some flowers in your garden.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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Jill Kot (Peterson)
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Betty-Ann Vesala and David Matthews Deepest condolences to Bruce and Kelly’s family. Kelly was one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of calling my friend. She was always calm and unflappable and had a very understated sense of humour. She will be remembered as a talented artisan, great co-worker and dear friend. Her mosaics adorn our balcony and will be a constant memory of the many wonderful times that we shared.
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Swee Lian Whelan My deepest sympathies to Bruce and her family. It was always a pleasure to work with her at VGH and RJH. Kelly was an amazing artist, and I loved seeing pictures of her mosaic creations. She will be dearly missed.
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joann Wootten-Halsall My condolences to the family. Kelly was a warm-hearted and creative person who had a lot to contribute to the community.
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Gary Knight So sorry Bruce, for your loss your wife, Kelly. A very caring, calm & creative person, that brought a lot of joy to your life & many others. She will be missed by many.
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Patty Shorting We are all heart-broken with the loss of Kelly and will miss her forever. I think one of her greatest creations was her beautiful family whom she dearly loved.
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Christina/ Alan Eastwood It is always a pity to lose a lovely former colleague, especially one like Kelly. I admired her creativity and wimsy and delightful parties. She left us way too soon.
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Monica Fiederer Kelly was a twinkling star, softly lighting up those around her to shine too. My deepest condolences to all who love her, especially to her family.
Monica
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albert selina From Albert Selina
So sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing. My heart goes out to the family. May she rest in peace.
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Pat Ens My heart & thoughts go out to Kelly’s entire family & know how she will be so very missed. I too am deeply saddened that Kelly had to get so sick & pass away so very quickly & leave us all. Kelly has been such an influential person in my 40 years of knowing her & I am sad that she won’t be around to do “more of that”!! The only consolation for me is that I have reminders of her creative & joyful & whimsical spirit all throughout my home & yard…with happy reminders & fond memories to keep.
Lot’s of love & much condolences to her dear family, ❤️
Pat Ens (& John Hayashi)
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Lianne Peterson I am heartbroken to learn of Kelly’s death. My teenage years with Kelly and “the gang” were so much fun and I have so many lovely memories of her. Her sweetness was only surpassed by her amazing creativity. My heart goes out to her family. If it is possible for one of the family to reach me as I would like to attend her celebration. I am deeply saddened…. Lianne (Hunter) Peterson
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Cathy Rawluk I am sorry to hear of her passing and will remember her as the creative and kind person she was. My condolences to her family.
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Cindy Lundy and Wayne Ghesquiere Our deepest condolences, we are so sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing. I have memories of going to school with Kelly and waiting for the school bus and as teenagers once dragging her to an audition of the musical Oliver. She was stunned when we discovered we had to sing at the audition. Kelly blushed redder than I had ever seen but she went out and sang. Such a gentle soul and such a loss.
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Jeff Norton So sorry and saddened to hear of Kelly’s passing. I have many fond memories of hanging out at Elk Lake with the Forbes sisters and all of our friends on those hot summer nights. My condolences to the families near and far. Kelly, you will be missed.
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Teresa Donley Condolences to Vonnie and family. Thoughts….. I treasure the holiday on the island with Kelly and meeting Bruce….. the hostess with the mostest! We kayaked to the outer harbour, we mosaicked and the piece she guided me to make sits in my garden. She wined and dined me with her fantastic cooking and she toured me to some beautiful places that she loved. We had so much fun and I’ll always hold that dear to my heart. Friends from afar but friends from the soul. ❤️ Grateful to have chatted with her recently about a photo memory that showed up on my phone. She and her creative, kind soul will be missed .
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Maureen McGuire My condolences to Bruce and Kelly’s family. Kelly, you will be missed by friends and family who were fortunate to experience your gentle personality and creative talents.
Love,
Maureen
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Louise Dear Karen, Yvonne, and family,
I’m very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you with love and hugs.
Louise
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Randy & Connie Hawkridge So sad to hear of Kelly’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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Jeff Ferguson Our condolences to one and all, life is precious and Kelly will be missed dearly. Our love and prayers to all
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Anna Hudgins We will all miss Kelly so much. She was a guiding light with her soft and gentle ways. My deepest condolences to her family.
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Jim Life It was very sad to hear of Kelly’s illness and quick passing. My condolences to Vonnie, Bruce, Leslie, and Steve and the other members of the extended Forbes family. Kelly was always an integral part of her family and had a wonderful creative flare that never ceased to amaze me. Like others, I will miss Kelly but more important, she will be remembered.
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Hazel Tempel (Pavier) So saddened to hear of Kelly’s passing. I have so many fond memories of time spent with my childhood friend and the Forbes family.
My deepest condolences on your loss.
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Darrel and Candis Molde Darrel and I are so sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing . We will remember her with heavy hearts and are thinking of her family and friends
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Del and Della Kelly’s creative spirit and gentle soul touched us and have left us with a smile of gratitude on our hearts.
We wrap our love around you Auntie Vonnie,
Karen, Kristie , Mark, and all of Kelly’s precious families as you process your profound loss.
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Jason and Janice Lougheed Thinking of you Aunty Vonnie. Sending you love, prayers and hugs your way. I am so sorry.
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Marie and Brian Fish So sorry to hear about losing your sister, Mark!! We are thinking of you!
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Ron Forbes Sorry to hear of,Kelly’s passing. My families condolences to her family and Vonnie
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Gabriella Daniel Rest in peace my most precious friend. Heaven needed another Angel. You are in my thoughts and in my heart as my home is full of memories of our special friendship.
You will be dearly missed,
Gaby and Charlie
I am so sad and sorry to hear of the loss of Kelly. She was a friend in school and into early adulthood and I admired her kind and gentle style and her artistic talent (she taught me to felt wool). She was a warm and caring person and it’s such a loss that she is gone so soon. My condolences to her family and friends.