Jodene Hawkins Kelly Obituary (1941 - 2014)

Our most precious and cherished wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Jodene Hawkins Kelly, has returned to her Heavenly Home to be reunited with friends and family there. Jody passed away at Dixie Regional Hospital in Saint George, Utah with her family by her side. She was born Jodene Hawkins to Joseph Wallace Hawkins and Louise Standage Hawkins in Phoenix, Arizona on October 13, 1941. She grew up in Mesa, Arizona and graduated from Mesa High School in 1959. She went to BYU where she graduated in Human Development and Family Research in 1963. Jody's goal was to be a teacher like her mother. She met her eternal companion, Robert Howard Kelly during her Junior year at BYU and was married for time and eternity on September 8, 1962 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. Jodene was a loving mother of 6 children. Jodene is survived by her husband, Bob and their 6 children: Kirk (Wendy Sue) Kelly, Karyn (Michael) Ruoho, Kristine (Danny) Harbin, Greg (Natalie) Kelly, Suzanne (David) Hansen, Nathan (Melissa) Kelly. Preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter, Mykell Kelly, daughter of Kirk and Wendy Sue Kelly. Jody was a kind and loving wife, mother and friend. She loved unconditionally. She was adventurous, fun and liked to experience life. She loved to travel but was limited because of her health issues in her retirement. Jodene was a cherished teacher at Valley View Elementary in Pleasant Grove for 23 years. Still to this day her students recognize and ask about her years after she retired. She loved her students and many nights and summers were spent working in her classroom. Jody enjoyed the association of all the teachers at Valley View Elementary. Jody loved reading; she had a vast library of books. Many hours were spent reading to her students, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jody was greatly loved and will be missed by all as an example of kindness and love she showed to everyone. A Viewing will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2014 from 12:00 - 1:45 p.m. followed by a brief funeral service at 2:00 p.m. in Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah. There will be a dedication of the grave at the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery after the services. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.