Kelly Lee Stippich
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| September 3, 1949 ~
December 15, 2011 |
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December 17, 2011 |
 Kelly
Lee Stippich was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon
on September 3, 1949, thirteen minutes before
her brother was born. An aggressive cancer took
her from us unexpectedly. She died at her
beautiful cabin in Moyie Springs on December 15,
at the age of 62.
Kelly grew up in Oregon and graduated from
Ashland High School. She first came to live in
Bonners Ferry in 1972, and eventually spent most
of her life in north Idaho, living in Samuels,
then Bonners Ferry again, and finally settling
in Moyie Springs where her husband Jim provided
her dream: a cabin high in the mountains. About
her husband she wrote, “He has been the best
helpmeet.”
She loved all aspects of forest life, and named
the wild animals and coaxed them to eat from her
hand. Her favorites were Momma the woodpecker,
and Patty the squirrel. Kelly sewed clothes and
quilts by hand, and fed her family from the
garden. She canned fruits and vegetables and
mailed the jars to family across the continent.
She loved hard work, creating amazing gardens,
camping, building fences and buildings, using
her chainsaw, raising chickens, and being with
her grandchildren.
Anyone who knew her learned to look at life with
her perspective. She taught us ways to be
joyful, to continue learning, be gentle with
animals, appreciate the wilderness, be
resourceful, and avoid wastefulness. In that way
she built a legacy, particularly among her four
children, whom she adored.
Her faith in God was enduring and she spent her
entire life asking questions and seeking His
path with her utmost authenticity. Because of
this she approached her death with grace, and
with peace.
Kelly was preceded in death by her father,
Captain John Waterbury. She is survived by her
mother, Ella Armilda Tatlow, her sisters
Eireanne Reed and Reed Johnson, and her beloved
twin brother Mike Reed. Her children are Crystal
Trulove, Eli Perry, Travis TruLove, and Ian
Perry.
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