Sadie Nyoma Kelly

Sadie was born on January 22, 1939, in Lummi, Washington. She was the third child born to Addie and George George. On October 5, 1963, she married Gordon Kelly Sr. They made Deming their home raising their children, Sharon, Patti, and Gordon Jr. When their granddaughter Kelly was born, she became their child and they raised her as well. Sadie attended one year of school at Chemawa Boarding School. She came back to Lummi to attend public school. At that time there were no school busses that came to Lummi, so Sadie had to move in with a foster family to attend school. Sadie graduated from Ferndale High School. She eventually attended college and completed some courses over the years. Sadie began her working career in 1970 with the Mount Baker School District. She worked there for 37 years where she made many lifetime friends. Many former students still speak of how she helped them one way or another. Sadie enjoyed playing softball. She started playing softball in 1970 and continued to 1991, playing her last game at the age of 61. She made many friends during her softball years. Playing softball provided her and family an opportunity to travel throughout Washington State for many tournaments where she met and made many friends. Sadie was an avid NY Yankees fan. She tried to watch all their games and her dream was to someday attend a game in person. She loved her baseball. The kids can remember driving by softball games and Sadie would pull in to watch. She did not need to know who was playing, she just wanted to watch the game. After both Sadie and Gordon retired, they made Lummi their home. Once settled she began her ventures with the yearly tribal canoe journeys. She looked forward to every year’s journey and would start planning to attend many months in advance. During protocol Sadie would be the first one in the protocol tent and the last one to leave. When family members would ask her if she wanted to rest and go back later, she would reply, ‘This is what we came for. We are not leaving until everyone is done.’ This resulted in family taking shifts to try to keep up with her. The grandkids said that the thing they would remember the most is that if they were misbehaving, she would just have to look at them and they knew they needed to behave. Never scolding them, she only needed to give them the look and they knew to behave. Another one of Sadie’s favorite places to be was at the powwows. She looked forward to being able to dance. A favorite was the Fourth of July celebration in Nespelem, Washington. Her and her family would take off two full weeks to stay there. This was time for relaxing, fishing, and kicking up the dust. Part of their trip to Nespelem included cooking the salmon for the celebration. Sadie looked forward to this trip every year to reconnect and visit the family there. She was one of our biggest cheerleaders. Always at every event such as canoe races, softball, and soccer games. She could be content just sitting and watching the races all day. Made the time to stop and have a meal with all family when they came to town to visit. If she did not agree with something she would kindly express, it in a way that was obvious she disapproved. It was done in a way that you understood her feelings, without her having to say anything. She loved her family very much and cared about their well-being. Some of the in-laws could appreciate that Sadie cared and made them feel welcome. She had a way to make sure the next generation was going to be taken care of. Sadie will be missed by her children Sharon, Patti, and Gordon; granddaughter Kelli; sisters Lutie, Cetta, and Letta; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. A service will be held at Moles Ferndale on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 10:00am followed by a graveside service at Lummi Nation Cemetery.

Sadie Nyoma Kelly

January 22, 1939 - October 5, 2021