Priscilla Mae 'Pat' Kelly, 83

Priscilla Mae (Pat) Prouty was born on March 8, 1929, in Chicago, Ill., to Jim and Evylan Prouty. After attending the Art Institute in Chicago, she moved to Stevensville, Mont., with her folks where she met and married William Lee Kelly on Sept. 8, 1949.

Shortly after the wedding, they moved to Port Angeles, Wash., where their three children were born, Clifton Lee, Margaret Ann and Jefferson James. She and her family moved back to the Bitter Root Valley for a few years before moving to Fernwood. Pat loved painting and drawing and sold many of her works, while living in Fernwood. She taught several art classes as well as working for the Fernwood School District. Pat started and ran the Upriver Library. In her spare time, she became a certified EMT and worked with the Upriver Ambulance Service. She directed two- and three-act plays as fundraisers for both the school and ambulance service.

In 1991, Pat and Bill moved to Coeur d’Alene, where she became one of the original Red Hot Mommas which she really enjoyed doing. Pat worked at and later retired from the Coeur d’Alene Public Library as a book mender restoring and repairing old and damaged books.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jim and sister-in-law Rose Prouty. Pat is survived by her loving husband, Bill and their three children, Chip, Margaret and Jeff; her brothers, Tom and John; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Pat passed away suddenly on Aug. 5, 2012, and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Pat’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.