Patricia (Patti) Hays Kelly

Patricia (Patti) Vance Jordan Kelly (nee Hays) set sail on her final voyage to the infinite seas on June 4, 2022 at the sprightly age of 91.

Patti was born on April 11, 1931 in Xenia, Ohio. Although not an orphan herself, Patti was raised until the age of nine in the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home where her father was the superintendent. Her father being very active in the Ohio National Guard, the family moved frequently in advance preparation leading up to World War II. They lived in Upper Arlington, OH, Mississippi, and Columbus, GA where her father trained before shipping out to the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Patti settled in Upper Arlington through ninth grade, until her father returned after the war and became superintendent of the Boys Industrial School in Lancaster, OH. She later graduated from Lancaster High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. As part of Patti's extra-curricular activities, she was co-host of a local radio station program.

Patti attended college at Ohio Wesleyan University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1953. She was very active as a member of both Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and Phi Society, and also as Monnett Day Committee Chairman. Scholastic recognitions included the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor, Wesley Fellowship and Mortar Board honors. Athletically Patti was a member of both the Women's Recreation Association and YWCA. Later in life Patti was President of the local Sarasota, FL alumni chapter of her Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, which she represented at national conventions.

After college Patti married her first husband Mike Vance who was the youth minister of the First Community Church in Columbus, OH. Patti began her elementary school teaching career in Grandview, OH, a suburb of Columbus. During the summertime, Patti and Mike were camp directors at First Community Church's Camp Akita. Their son, Mark Vance, was born in Columbus. As many Americans did post-war, Mike, Patti and Mark moved west to Southern California in the late 1950's, where the family became members of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and Patti and Mike ran the Cedar Lake Camp in nearby Big Bear.

Soon after Patti became an elementary teacher at Viewpoint School in Calabasas, CA, where she also started the Camp Roadrunner summer camp. Following five years at Viewpoint, Patti transitioned to Los Angeles Unified School District schooling for homebound children. Patti earned a Masters Degree in Special Education from California Lutheran University, after which Patti started at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, teaching children of all ages during their extended treatments for serious injuries and illness. Patti received many commendations during her tenure at CHLA, including Special Education Teacher of the Year (1987-1988), and nominated for California Teacher of the Year in 1988. She also received a personal letter of appreciation from President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan with whom she toured the CHLA classrooms in 1987. That same year Patti was featured on the syndicated television program "Heroes Made in the USA", hosted by actor Craig T. Nelson, for her excellence in teaching. After a decades-long career at CHLA, Patti retired in 1996.

Patti was always an active and adventurous spirit with an endlessly caring and nurturing soul. She was always at her happiest when exploring the great outdoors on a hike through nature. Patti shared this spirit with her second husband Fred Jordan whom she married in 1970, and gained a step-son Tony Jordan who enjoyed sharing life with Patti and Mark as the combined family went power-boating up and down the California coast having a great time. The family enjoyed many adventurous excursions from Marina Del Rey to Catalina Island as members of California Yacht Club and 4th of July Yacht Club.

After Fred passed away in 1980, Patti reconnected with and married friend Ralph Kelly who she had known from First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. They remained married until 1996 when Patti moved to Sarasota, FL to live with her son Mark and granddaughter Chelsea.

Over the years Patti was instrumental in raising Chelsea as Mark was a single working parent by that time, getting her involved in gymnastics and cheerleading. Patti passed on her love and expert knowledge of birds to Mark, who took it further with his bird videography and Audubon Society contributions. Patti continued as President of the local Sarasota, FL alumni chapter of her Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, and also served as docent at the nearby Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

Patti was so proud of Chelsea and enjoyed vicariously living Chelsea's adventures as a single woman in Los Angeles and New York. After her marriage to husband Lock, Chelsea moved from Sarasota to Alaska, then to Portland, back to Sarasota, and ultimately to Montana. Being a Grandmother was such a blessing for Patti!!!

Patti lived in Sarasota until 2021 when she moved with Mark to Columbia Falls, Montana to be near granddaughter Chelsea and four great-grandchildren. Patti was so happy to be surrounded by family, four generations in all, during the last few months of her life. Patti passed away at Expressions Memory Care Assisted Living from natural causes.

Patti is survived by her loving son Mark Vance, granddaughter Chelsea Vance Gessner and husband Lock, great-grandchildren Hudson, Cooper, Autumn and James, all of whom are residents of Columbia Falls, MT, step-son Tony Jordan of Los Angeles. Her nieces and nephews Marilyn Hays O'Keeffe (Rich) sons Richard (wife Cindy, daughter Madison) & Patrick. Nephew Gary Hays (children Austin, Riley and Savannah). Patti was preceded in passing by her parents Colonel Harold L. Hays and Susan Mertz Hays, her brother Harold L. Hays Jr. and wife Roberta, her nephew Harold L. Hays III, Chelsea's mother Maria Henry Vance, as well as her husbands Mike Vance, Fred Jordan and Ralph Kelly.

A private memorial will be held at a future date where Patti's ashes will be scattered to the deep blue depths and carefree breezes of the Pacific Ocean she relished for 91 years of a joyous and happy life!

The family sincerely appreciates all those who came to know and love Patti during the many wonderful phases of her long and full life. She cherished her lifelong childhood friends from Upper Arlington, Lancaster and Ohio Wesleyan University, former colleagues and students from Viewpoint School and Children's Hospital of LA, and everyone else that touched her life in some way. She was always ready and willing to help with a joyful attitude towards all. Patti instinctively knew everything about being a wonderful wife, mom, friend, camp director, and teacher.