Obituary of Violet Kellestine

Violet Kellestine passed away peacefully on Monday May 29, 2023 at Southbridge Long Term Care in London, Ontario.  She was 95 years old.

Violet - or Vi as she was known to family and friends- was an exceptional wife, mother, grandma, aunt and friend.  She cared deeply for her family, friends and neighbors.  She did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was.  She was always the first to offer help, she volunteered up into her 90^th year at Parkwood Hospital gift shop where she was there for 35 years.

She was a vivacious, beautiful, fiercely independent and loving woman who always had a twinkle in her eye.  She always had a story and shared her history of London and Byron where she was a proud and beloved member of the community for the majority of her life.

She was a Brownie leader, girls soft and fastball assistant coach, equipment manager, and convener/score keeper.  She spent many summers at Optimist Park and other baseball diamonds in Southwest Ontario.  She along with Dorothy and Barry Hill were instrumental in establishing girls hockey in Byron, she spent a lot of winters cheering the Byron girls on at numerous hockey arenas.

She always ensured that every child who crossed her threshold was safe, healthy and happy, offering up hot chocolate and cookies after a backyard hockey game or tobogganing in Springbank Park. Mrs K’s Kitchen was always open.

Violet  is survived by her loving children and their families; son Raymond and his wife Kathi, their children Kelly (Kameron) and their partner Gabe and Niall and his partner Cara, son Stewart and his wife Debbi, their children Breann, Deja Rae, Jakob and Faith, daughter Kathy and her partner Rod, her children  Dakota, Steven and Grace.  She was predeceased by her husband Chester “Kelly.”

She was a special aunt and friend to Nancy Gough and her partner Dale. She will be sadly missed by all her nieces and nephews and their families.

Her family asks and would greatly appreciate, in lieu of flowers donations be made to the ALS Society of Canada or charity of one’s choice.

A celebration of Vi’s life is being planned and will be held at a future date.