Obituary of Patrick Duane Kelly

January 29, 1948 – Calgary, Alberta

November 29, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Patrick “Duane” Kelly of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the age of 76 years.

Duane was born in Calgary, AB, on January 29, 1948.  He grew up in Cochrane, AB, Calgary and Exshaw, AB, and from 1956 on the Kelly farm north of Hussar, AB. His education included time in a one-room school, and in 1962, he was awarded the Governor General’s Academic Medal.

He attended the University of Calgary (U of A Calgary until 1966) and met Marnie Ross in 1965 in the first year of the Honours Math Program. They quickly agreed to marry but initially kept their engagement secret, lest friends and family doubt the wisdom and commitment of the two eighteen-year-olds.  They married on May 18, 1968, following their graduation from the University of Calgary, each earning a Bachelor of Science majoring in Math.

Duane began his professional career with IBM in Toronto, ON, in 1968, where he and Marnie formed lifelong friendships and where their children Patrick (b 1971) and Colleen (b 1972) were born.  Duane was transferred to Regina, SK, in 1972, Vancouver, BC, in 1976, and Calgary in 1979. Duane and his family lived in the Silver Springs neighbourhood before building a home near Millarville in 1990. Duane accepted early retirement from IBM in 1993 and worked for New Era Systems and its successor companies until retiring in 2002.

In addition to being a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a hard-working professional, Duane was committed to community service. His lifetime of volunteerism includes five decades as a member of Optimist Clubs in Regina and Calgary, and Optimist International, the 1988 Olympics (donating professional services), the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society, and the donation of over 150 units of blood.

He was a curler, an avid reader, researcher of family history, and a problem solver, committed to solving the daily “Wordle” up until the very last days of his life.

He treated the news of his 2019 stage four cancer diagnosis with a vigorous application of the Optimist Creed that he lived by, and as a problem to be solved. He was the beneficiary of ever-improving therapies which prolonged his life, and he was committed to helping others through his participation in numerous studies to improve the scientific understanding of Canada’s most commonly diagnosed and among the least survivable cancers.

Duane is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marnie; his children, Patrick (Kimberley) and Colleen; his sister, Merle (Don) and brother, Glen; his six grandchildren, Katie, Jessica, Meaghan, Athena, Lucy, and Eden; and many first cousins.

Duane’s family thanks the staff and volunteers at Dulcina Hospice for their support and compassion during Duane’s final days.

There will be no funeral, but a celebration of his life will be scheduled in the spring, with details to follow. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Lung Cancer Canada, 133 Richmond St W #208, Toronto, ON, Website: www.lungcancercanada.ca, Telephone: (416) 785-3439 or the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation, 1310 Ave Greene, Westmount, QC, Website: www.optimistfoundation.ca,  Telephone: (514) 982-1600.

The Optimist Creed

“Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.”

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Patrick’s family here.

In living memory of Patrick Kelly, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.