Christiane Solange Kelley

Christiane Solange Kelley, beloved family matriarch, passed on to her Lord’s waiting embrace on March 12th, 2025. After a diagnosis of Stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2020, Chris resolved to remain as enthusiastic about life as ever, visiting with friends and attending social events she loved, while keeping a full schedule with family near and far.

Chris was born and raised in Paris, France. At age 17 she married Robert (Bob) Kelley, an American GI stationed in France and was soon blessed with a son, William. A daughter, Catherine was born in Turkey and another daughter, Anne, in Germany. She learned to love each and every stop and let go of much. But she made sure every new station became home to her and her family. She and Bob retired and moved to the Rogue Valley in 1988 and soon after, her daughters uprooted to be closer to her, bringing her much delight as her family grew over time.

Though family played the key role in her life, she’d also worked on base as a cashier, a secretary for a hearing aid office, a bookkeeper and manager for their carpet cleaning business, and a personal assistant for an immobile friend. While stationed in Saudi Arabia, Chris worked in a hospital and then as a teacher of English and French for local kindergartners, which she loved. Upon retirement, she worked side-by-side with Bob in a successful collectables venture for 20 years, becoming a self-taught expert in glassware and ceramics. Always willing to step up when the family needed anything, she was a babysitter on-demand, epic Christmas stocking stuffer, had the coolest sleepover place and gave the easiest, warmest snuggles. She kept out of family squabbles and unconditionally lent an ear with her gentle presence. Fishing and crabbing were two of her favorite activities and she and Bob would cast a line or throw out a cage whenever they could, no matter where they lived.

Soon after moving into The Springs of Medford Bob passed away. He was her lifelong adventure buddy, confidante and husband of 57 years, her true soul mate. The Springs community kept her involved and on the move, for which she was grateful. Friends and staff will miss hearing her tapping a beat at drumming circle or how she thwarted all the players at trivia as soon as she’d walk through the doors, knowing she’d most likely leave with the prize. She was a master at trivia and had taken the grand prize on Jeopardy many times from her living room chair.

A quiet and unyielding humanitarian, Chris donated time and money to many animal rescue organizations and children’s charities throughout her life. She loved the sound of doves in the early morning, watching the hummingbirds at her feeders, and relaxing on her balcony while listening to the courtyard fountains. She always had a pet or two, her last being her cat, Misty, who loved her evening walks with Chris through the halls of the apartment building, greeting all of the residents. Misty now resides happily with her youngest daughter and family.

Chris kept herself sharp, tech-savvy as much as possible, was loving and caring to all, and could easily remember names or dates of movies, composers, actors, hit songs and singers or major news events throughout her life. Upon her passing, her grandchildren were determined to find and preserve their favorite sweaters their Memee wore, to forever remember her distinctive, comforting scent. Greater still, she leaves her essence of joy, unbounded love and warmth, an emphasis on family, and an unshakeable faith in her Lord Jesus Christ.

Chris is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kelley. She is survived by her son and his wife, William Kelley and Marianne Dennison of Utah and two daughters Cathy Kelley and Anne Kelley Mons of Oregon, seven grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren and her family in France; a sister, Jacqueline Driot, a niece and her husband, Veronique and Alain Loury, a nephew and his wife, Alain and Odille Driot, and many grand-nephews and grand-nieces and their children.

In lieu of flowers, family asks that you make a donation to further cancer research, an animal rescue group, or another charity near and dear to your heart.