Kelly Lee Stippich
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.