Audrey “Joan Kelley” Sales, 92, of Sheridan, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital with her granddaughter, Toni Kelley by her side. She was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England to Alfred and Lillian Cook. Her father was a fisherman and her mother was a homemaker. The Cooks had four daughters, Florence, Edith, Doris and Audrey. When Joan was born, her father was away at Sea. Upon coming home to meet his youngest daughter, he decided to call her by her middle name, Joan, as he did not agree with the name of Audrey.
Her sister Florence was twelve years older than she, and became a nurse like their grandmother. Sister Edith died as an infant, and sister Doris died at the age of 22 in a motorcycle accident.
Joan met a “Yankee” named John Klingman. They were married in England during WWII and had their daughter Wendy there. John was reassigned and came back to the States. So Joan and Wendy boarded an oceanliner and arrived in New York in March of 1945. They arrived in Nebraska a few days later. John left for his reassignment one week after that. The marriage ended in divorce. She then moved to Sheridan, WY and met Gaylen Kelley, who adopted her two children, Wendy and Ray, and he loved them as his own. Gaylen was an Electrician, and provided a wonderful life for Joan and their children.
The family loved hunting, fishing, square dancing and gardening. Joan was quite a seamstress, as she made her own outfits. She was also a knitter and crocheter.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Gaylen Kelley (Sheridan, WY) her son Ray Kelley (Sheridan, WY) and her grandsons Sean Kelly (Yerington, NV) and Chad Kelly (Roseville, CA). She is survived by her daughter, Wendy (Kelley) Whitaker (Clanton, AL), her grandson Wesley Whittaker (Midwest City, OK) granddaughters, Adrienne (Whittaker) Wilson (Montgomery, AL) and Toni Kelley (Tacoma, WA)
She was a remarkable woman, and she will be missed by many! She was a warrior! May she rest is peace!
Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.
Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
