Judith “ Judy” Kelly passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of care, laughter, and unmistakable charm. She was 87 and deeply loved by all who knew her.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Judy trained as a nurse at Southern General Hospital and later earned her midwifery qualification. In her early twenties, she boarded a ship bound for Canada and took her first nursing job in Northern Ontario. She worked in remote communities, often travelling by floatplane or dogsled, and delivered babies in igloos. She once met Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau — just one of many stories she would share with her signature understatement, twinkling eyes, and a laugh that made you feel like you were in on the joke.
Judy eventually made her home in BC, where her remarkable career continued. She served as Head Nurse in the neurosurgery department at St. Paul’ s Hospital, then as Nurse Coordinator at Simon Fraser University’ s Health Services in the 1970s. She brought her steady hand and kind heart wherever she went — from private practices to the local racetrack — always calm, capable, and deeply compassionate.
She wasn’ t just a nurse — she was a force of nature. Judy had a one-of-a-kind laugh, a mischievous grin, and a sharp sense of humour that lit up even the darkest moments. Once she stopped her car on the Lions Gate Bridge to jot down a CBC recipe, unfazed by the police officer who pulled her over. It was no surprise she talked her way out of a ticket — her charm was effortless and utterly genuine.
Judy gave freely of herself. She showed up with soup, with health advice, with exactly what you didn’ t know you needed — whether you asked for it or not. Even in retirement, she insisted on helping the nurses in the care home where she lived. Caring for others wasn’ t something she did — it was who she was.
She loved to travel, especially to Mexico, where she and her beloved partner Bill Keely shared a condo. When a major earthquake struck during one of their visits, Judy immediately sprang into action to help the injured — unshaken, ready to help. That was Judy through and through.
Her home at the top of Lonsdale was always full of friends, of food, of laughter, and of a warmth that enveloped all who stepped through the door. The view over Vancouver was stunning, but it was Judy’ s spirit that made it unforgettable.
Though she adored her adopted country, Judy was proudly and fiercely Scottish. She never lost her accent — nor her roots — and stayed close to her family in Scotland, including her parents, four brothers, nieces, and nephews. As her niece Julie shared, “ Judy’ s passing has made me stop and remember just how full of energy she was — bossing her brothers around with a cheeky laugh and a twinkle in her eye. Her get-up-and-go knew no bounds.”
Judy was loved by many and left her mark in quiet, unforgettable ways. She will be deeply missed by family, friends, neighbours, and the many whose lives she touched.
A service will be held on August 16th at 11am in the gardens at St. Agnes Anglican Church, 530 E 12th St, North Vancouver, BC V7L 2K4.
