Barbara Ann Kelso of Forks passed away at her home in Forks on November 5, 2019, surrounded by her daughters as a result of cancer. Barbara was predeceased in death by her husband, Kaye Kelso who died July 9, 2002.
Barbara Ann (Landry) Kelso was born on January 6, 1935, in West Allis, Wisconsin to Harold and Helen Landry. In 1943 the Landry family migrated West to Hanford, Bellingham, Tacoma and ultimately ending up on her Great Uncle, Karl Fischer’s, homestead on the Upper Hoh River.
Barbara graduated from Forks High School Class of 1953 and married Kaye Kelso at the Forks Congregational Church on January 6, 1954. Their children are Lori Kelso of Forks and Clallam Bay, Wa. Karen Kelso of Rochester, Wa. and LeAnne Kelso Olson of Forks, Wa. She had two grandchildren, Jason Olson and Kayleen Olson both from the Seattle area.
Barbara’s siblings include Harold Landry of Port Angeles, Wa. Kenneth Landry of Seattle, Wa. and Richard Landry of Montana.
Barb worked at several local businesses over the years. She enjoyed baking and baked pies and cheesecakes for local restaurants in town. She enjoyed cooking and helped with the Senior Citizen Luncheon and the Annual Harvest dinner at the Forks Congregational Church.
She was one of several Loggerettes who dressed in hickory shirts, cutoff shorts, Keds, bobby socks with pantyhose and hair piled high to the sky. The Loggerettes traveled to Canada to promote the Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July. They appeared on Canadian Television and were featured on The Elaine Horn Show.
Barb was a Brownie Leader and later became a member of the Red Hats Society. She remained active on a bowling league along with her mother, Helen and later played softball with her daughter, Lori. She made a terrific left-handed first baseman.
She enjoyed ceramics, oil painting and sang in the local choir. She volunteered at the Forks Food Bank up until her illness no longer allowed her to go out. She was awarded Citizen of the Year which she was honored to receive. She loved animals and volunteered at the Forks Animal Shelter. She dearly loved spending time doing special activities with her Grandchildren.
She enjoyed gardening and tended to a beautiful yard awarding her Yard of the Month. It wasn’t unusual for Barb to work in her yard from sunup to sundown. She enjoyed sewing and made Logger Teddy Bears or custom Bears made to order. Barb loved to travel and was able to travel abroad to sightsee and visit family and friends.
Barb was a little spitfire. She was tough as nail and spunky. Although small, she was very “feisty”. She was also extremely caring and generous. She would give the shirt off her back and would go out of her way to help others in need. She was full of “wit” and sarcasm cracking jokes up until the very end. She liked to keep things neat, tidy and organized. She stayed busy daily checking off tasks from her “to-do”.
Barbara is now cooking with Julia Child, advising her on the amount of herbs and spices to add to her gourmet dishes. Painting with Bob Ross teaching him the correct way to make “happy little trees”. Giving vocal lessons to Elvis to help with his pitch problems and foraging the forest with Euell Gibbons arguing how a Pine Cone is not to eat and better-used for arts and crafts. Mostly, she is working on her lengthy “to-do” list for her husband Kaye.
To all who knew her, she will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 23, 2019, at the Forks Congregational Church at 1:00 PM
In “Lieu of Flowers” please make a donation to the Forks Food Bank or the Forks Congregational Church.
