Obituary: Kelly-Carter, Judith Dianne \endash Age 63, Brookfield. We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife and mother on May 12, 2025, at home in Brookfield. Judy was born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, on February 23, 1962, to the late Drucilla Dollina Brake and Richard Patrick Kelly.
After college and university studies in food management and nutrition, Judy worked as a Food Service Manager at the Grace Maternity Hospital and other cafeteria settings. A woman of multiple skill and talents, Judy's resume included waitress, cook, ice cream server in Halifax's old Town Clock, seniors home aid, in-home child care provider, elections worker, flower shop manager, and baker at Fraser's Pastry in Truro. In her last working role, "Miss Judy" enjoyed helping pre-primary teachers and students at Brookfield Elementary School. In each job she excelled, naturally adapting with a focus on excellence and learning from the experience.
After first meeting in 1980, Judy married David Foster Carter in 1984. Together, they raised a family of three girls: Alice Carter (Matthew Keel), Bible Hill; Katherine Carter (Mason Purdy), Hilden, and Rachel Carter (Kraig Bates), Stewiacke. Family played a pivotal role in Judy's life. Her children, many nieces and nephews, and extended families wove a main thread in her life's fabric.
With David, she shared a deep interest in family and local histories, and sense of place: a love of exploration of old houses, antiques, art, nature, and landscapes. Judy was passionate about flowers and water\emdash especially the Bay of Islands she enjoyed as a child and during her many family visits over more than four decades. Judy had an artistic flare that included baking and cooking. Pets also formed a part of family life; she loved animals, birds, and all wildlife. Judy's love of music was shared with her family, with her special tunes soothing the many challenges she faced over the past three years as ALS consumed her ability to speak and then to move. Without typical means, Judy also beat Maple Leaf and Blue Jays drums, faithful watching, and now, cheering from the stars. Judy also loved reading, watching British TV, and collecting antique Christmas ornaments, dishes, cook books, Mi'kmaw baskets, seashells and round rocks. She was simply amazing.
In addition to being predeceased by her loving parents and parents-in-law, Judy recently mourned the death of her brother, Richard (Donna). Her brother-in-law, Jim Biddulph, sister-in-law, Alice Kelly, niece, Pam Kelly, and nephew, Daniel Lewis also predeceased her. Three brothers and six sisters survive Judy: Danny, Mary Alice (John), Ivy (David), Paul, Iris (Lee), Donna (Wayne), Kathy (Larry), Grant, and Denise (Darrell). She played a significant role in the lives of many nieces, nephews, and children in the community as a caregiver and a Sparks leader.
Thank you to the many people who made Judy's last three years more comfortable, including her daily caregivers (Rachel and Katie); VON Nursing; The ALS Clinic and The Sleep Lab (QEII Hospital); The Speech Clinic, OT, and Physio Departments (Colchester East Hants Health Centre); Equipment suppliers including The ALS Society, Eastern Seals, and Red Cross; Medical oversight including Dr. Dianna Jones-Locke, Dr. Tim Brown, Dr. Amy Punke, Kevin Peterson (Harding Medical), Legge Clinic, and the Colchester East Hants Health Centre Palliative Care Team. A special thank you to Wade Densmore for building Judy's ramp, Rod MacQuarrie and the Pharmacare team, and to Rod Neilson and the Brookfield Fire Department and EHS teams, for the compassion and emergency care. Lastly, thank you to Edward the Hummingbird, and all Judy's stuffed with love pals.
Flowers, another of Judy's passions, are welcome. Donations may be made to ALS Society of NB and NS, through Judy's fundraising page available at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/team-kelly-carter-als-walk-strong-2025/
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro starting with a visitation at 12:00 p.m. followed by a service at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Larry Harrison officiating, and a reception (with lots of tea\emdash Judy's favourite). Webcasting will begin at 1:58 p.m. (ADT) and is available along with on-line condolences at www.ColchesterCommunity.com.
Death: ALS
Sources
Funeral Home: Colchester Community Funeral Home Truro,NS
Obituary May 2025
