Leone M. "Rickie" Kelly, 81, died in Helena on March 7, 2009, of natural causes.
She was born May 3, 1927, in Havre, the third child of Claude and Selma (Peterson) Allen. Rickie lived with her family on a farm on the Wild Horse Trail north of Havre until she entered grade school. She attended school in Havre and graduated from Havre High School in 1945. On Jan. 10, 1949, she married Lloyd Kelly in Havre, and the couple spent their married life in Havre where they raised their family. Lloyd and Rickie owned and operated a retail music store in downtown Havre for nearly 30 years, the Music Center. In addition, Rickie worked in the ladies' ready-towear of the Buttery’s department store and in the Hill County assessor's office, where she served as deputy county assessor for several years. Rickie was a long-time member of St. Jude's Parish in Havre. Over the course of her life, she enjoyed cooking, golfing, dancing and following the Havre Blue Pony football and basketball teams. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her fine sense of humor. During the last several years of her life, Rickie resided in Helena and Kalispell near her children and grandchildren. Rickie is survived by her daughter, Mary Kelly McCue and her husband Stephen McCue and their children: Kevin, Carrie and Patrick, of Helena; her son, Patrick Kelly and Denise Combs and her children: Danielle, Corey and Kelly, of Kalispell; and her daughter, Kathleen Kelly of Missoula. She also is survived by her sister, Charlotte Ray of Big Sandy, and two nephews and two nieces and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, her parents and her sister, Grace Bay of Havre. Her children are grateful for the tender care she received from Jo and LeRoy Gibson of Our House in Helena during the final year of her life. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in Havre at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home in Helena.
