Heather Marie Kelly

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.