Fern C. Kelly

08/27/1930 — 03/24/2008

From Richland, WA, US | Born in Helena, Montana

Fern C. Kelly

Fern Louise Cochran Kelly passed away on Monday, March 24, 2008 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington.

Fern was born in Helena, Montana on August 27, 1930 to Ray H. Cochran and Louise Pitt Cochran. Her family relocated in 1935 with staff of the Helena Veterans Hospital after a series of Montana earthquakes forced the relocation of many patients to Walla Walla, Washington.

She attended Sharpstein Elementary School and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1947 the age of 16. Fern attended Washington State College in Pullman, Washington, where she met her future husband in freshman English class. While at WSC she was a member of the Orchesis Interpretive Dance Honorary. Fern graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Fern married William Scott Kelly in 1949. After graduating, they moved to Richland, Washington. She was employed on the Hanford Project until the arrival of her first child. She was a member of Central United Protestant Church. Fern spent many years raising four children and supporting her family’s activities. They enjoyed golfing, bowling and camping trips with the family. After her last child entered high school, Fern re-entered the work force. She worked first as a secretary for her church and later as an accounting clerk for Battelle Northwest. After her retirement she enjoyed traveling with Scott, including annual trips to Hawaii. In her later years Fern enjoyed reading, quilting, knitting and crocheting.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Waldo Geiselman, sister June Dunn, and two infant siblings.

Fern is survived by her husband of 58 years; son, Gregory Vickie and grandchildren Jennifer, Ben and Elizabeth; son James Carol and grandchildren Christine, Michael and Brandon; son David Donna; and daughter Sheila Kelly Woods Thomas and grandchildren Katherine and Gavin. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Fern devoted much of her time for the last twenty-three years to caring for her husband Scott as his health declined due to Parkinson’s disease. She was active in the local Neurological Resource Center and Parkinson’s support group. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Neurological Resource Center. See http://www.neurologicalresource.org/ for more information and for a video that includes Fern and Scott.

Viewing will be on Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30 from 5-8 pm at Einan’s Funeral Home in Richland. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 6, at 2 pm at Central United Protestant Church at 1124 Stevens Drive in Richland, Washington.

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Fern C. Kelly

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  • Fern, we’re going to miss you. We’ll never forget the Hawaii experiences, nor the many happy wine-drinking times. We’ll forward our postcards to the new world from now on.

    Jerri and Jerry Main
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Dear Kelly family, I am sorry for your loss. Fern and I worked together at Battelle and she was a wonderful friend and co-worker. The last time I saw her was in the fall at our local Safeway store and she looked beautiful and was quite happy. She always talked about her children and grand children and how proud she was of them. She was a caring care giver and loving wife to her husband Scott. My condolences are with you during this difficult time.

    Judi Dahl
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • Fern and I worked together at Battelle. I felt like I knew Fern for much longer because I had also been friends with June and Frank while I was living in Walla Walla. Fern was a hard worker and she was missed greatly after she retired. I haven’t seen Fern much since her retirement, but I have often found myself thinking about her and Scott too. This is very sad news. God bless you, Fern, and may He keep you in His care.

    Phyllis Kropf
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
  • Recolletions of Fern at Battelle are fond. She displayed kindness and consideration and her knowledge was keen. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

    Pam Anderson
    November 4, 2014
    Pasco, WA, US
  • It is a very nice story about Fern in the paper and my thoughts are with the entire family. Mary Lou Burgess

    Mary Lou Burgess
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
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