"We enjoyed being around LaVonne. She was very funny and cared deeply for her friends. My Mom (Anita Oitzman) were good friends. LaVonne would tease and Mom would recrpipate. They had fun together. I'm sure it was a joyous reunion in Heaven. RIP LaVonne. "
In loving memory of
LaVonne Ellen Kelly
August 30, 1934 - September 14, 2019
LaVonne Ellen Kelly, age 85 manuvered her celestial golf cart to heaven, to be reunited with her beloved parents on Saturday, September 14, 2019, while being cared for at the Melech Hospice House in Tampa, Florida, following a sudden illness.
She was born on August 30, 1934, to Hugh Duncan and Neita (Miller) Duncan in Freeport, Illinois. She spent her childhood years in Elizabeth, Illinois, and attended High School in Sycamore, Illinois. LaVonne was a graduate of The Ravenswood School of Nursing in Chicago, Illinois.
In late 1957, she was united in marriage to Peter Kelly in Anchorage, Alaska. While living in Anchorage, their first son Michael Steven was born. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to the Chicago, Illinois area where their other three children, Maureen Patricia, Therese Regina and Daniel Hugh were born. The family then relocated to North Tarrytown, New York. LaVonne and her children moved to Dumont, Iowa, in order to be closer to her family. She worked many years as a Registered Nurse and retired from the Dumont Care Center. LaVonne lived in Portland, Oregon, for a few years, and subsequently made the move to Tampa, Florida, to live in a warmer climate.
LaVonne lived every day of her life fully, with her family being the absolute center of her universe. She enjoyed travelling all over the country to visit her children, grandchildren, and their families. When not travelling, she cherished her time with her precious Cockapoo "Abbie", taking her for walks in her "Doggie Buggy". She enjoyed nightly meals with her close group of friends at University Village where she resided in an independent living apartment until her unexpected departure. She was a member of her community's Vesper's group, and spent her leisure time attending movies in the auditorium, reading mystery and suspense novels, and watching her favorite show, "Impractical Jokers". She enjoyed an occasional trip to Target or her favorite place, Goodwill. (Much to her children's distress) She truly delighted in showing her newly discovered Goodwill treasures to daughter Maureen, who expressed sincere concern that her mother would suffer recurrent injuries from tripping over her abundance of "one of a kind bargains" that slowly overtook every room in her small apartment. LaVonne was kind to everyone she met and made friends everywhere she went. She was loved deeply by her family, her friends, and the staff at University Village. Her smile could simply light up even the darkest room. She was preceded in death by her parents, many Aunts and Uncles, and several pets which she adored.
LaVonne is survived by her four children, Michael (Karen) Kelly of Portland, Oregon, Maureen (Jack) Kolosky of Tampa, Florida, Teri Kelly of Spokane, Washington, and Dan (Tara) Kelly of Northwood, Iowa. Also, Grandchildren Elizabeth, Gavin, Amity, Kelli, Danielle, Ryan, Pete and Walt and Great-Grandchildren Ava, Tegan, Jack, and Noah.
She also leaves behind 36 pairs of black pants, 74 mismatched pairs of socks, 13 full cans of "Easy Cheese", 3 jumbo bags of Hershey's Kisses, 28 frozen dinner rolls unwrapped and freezer-burnt, 72 small individual bags of oyster crackers, 2 huge bowls of frozen croutons, 17 pairs of tweezers, 21 "soap on a rope's" (skull shaped), 50 single earrings without a match, a charter membership in the much esteemed "Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue", every note or card given to her since childhood, and most importantly, a lifetime of warm, loving memories.
There will never be another sweet, funny, and generous soul who will compare to our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, and friend, LaVonne Ellen Kelly.
Memorials may be directed to LifePath Hospice, 12470 Telecom Drive Suite 300 West, Temple Terrace, FL 33637
Tributes
"Oh the fun times I remember at Vonni's house. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this sorrowful time."
"While she worked at Nursing home at FGH I had the honor of working the night shift with her. The shift went fast with her as she always made your job fun. She truly was a great lady. Sending blessing to you all!!"
"I remember when my mom Jeri Buseman worked with LaVonne at the Dumont Care Center...they sure had some fun. What a delightful lady! Thinking of all of u"
"Oh Vonnie! I was lucky amd blessed to have gotten to know Vonnie when i worked at the Dumont care center! I was 18! She was such an amazing woman! She told me many stories in that time! Mostly she talked about her kids! She was so vibrant and funny!!! She told me how her kids liked messing with her! The kids always complained in the winter the house was too warm and in the summer the house was too cold! She was standing in the kitchen one summer day doing the dishes and she saw something outside! So she went to investigate and get a closer look! All her kids were outside in their winter gear! Snowpants, hats, gloves, boots,winter coats and it was 95 degrees outside! But inside it felt like a brisk winter day! Oh her laugh was conatagious! I have missed her! So sorry to hear about her passing! The heavens definitely gained a true angel!!! I have such good memories thanks to her!!! Love you Vonnie!!! Give my twin a big hug from me please!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time!!! "