CAREN L. KELLY

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CAREN L. KELLY

(nee BALCAEN)

December 1, 1956 – January 16, 2024

Wanderlust - delight and love in wandering and exploring places. That described Caren who passed away suddenly on January 16th doing what she loved - travelling.

Caren leaves behind Greg, her loving husband of 47 years; her two children, Ryan (Annica) and Jenna (Byron). She adored her grandsons, Nickolas and Bradley, Kiaan and Scott and was always proud of their accomplishments. Caren also leaves behind her mother Fern, brothers, Blair (Heather) and Mark (Caroline) of Kenora, ON, and sister-in-law Dina of Lac du Bonnet and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Michael, Maureen (Rod), Suzanne (Rick), Elizabeth (Patrick), Bob (Debby), Terry (Gloria), Patricia (Omar) of Hamilton, ON and many nieces and nephews. Caren is predeceased by her father Harvey and her brother Paul, mother in-law Phyllis Kelly and sisters-in-law, Virginia and Brenda Kelly.

Caren was an early-bird - she loved starting her day before everyone and getting out before the crowds. She had the ability to plan anything and everything - including all the epic trips she took throughout her life. But her first and fiercest love was the love she had for her family. Her greatest pleasure in life was spending time with her family, especially her grandsons. She loved nothing more than gathering with the ones she held dearest and sharing dinner or a warm fire in the summer. Caren had a magnetic personality, and she was known for her sense of humour, generous spirit, and kind heart. Her heart knew no bounds; one of her greatest strengths was accepting people for who they are and treating them as family. Strangers were just friends she hadn't met yet.

Our Mom loved sharing stories of her family's adventures and enjoyed following others on their travels or sharing their experiences. Whether by plane, car or motorhome (MOHO) she always had a travel plan ready to go. Her travels included Saint Lucia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Morocco with Patricia and Omar, Bob and Debby along with the Chioua extended family, England, France and Belgium, winters in Florida with Mark and Caroline, Arizona with friends Joan and Bernie of Calgary, AB. It also included driving across Western Canada in the MOHO to see friends Donna and Terry in Calgary, AB and her aunt Carolyn and cousins, Steven (Jennifer) and Karen (Jason) in Vancouver, BC.

Mom, we know you are sitting on the beach watching the blue ocean waves, with your toes in the sand, enjoying the sun and catching a tan. The kindness you scattered everywhere you went will always be remembered. We miss you and love you very much.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Caren's life will take place on May 4, 2024 at the Holiday Inn South, 1330 Pembina Highway from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 10, 2024, Feb 10, 2024