Kelly J. (Brown) Orvis, 61, passed away Monday, March 4th 2019 in her home. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 9th at 3 p.m. with Pastor David Sheppard officiating at the T.R. Jetty Funeral Home in Clayton. Calling hours will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of service. A Spring burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Kelly was born on January 9th, 1958 in Watertown. She was the daughter of William E. Brown and Joan (House) Brown. She graduated in 1976 from Thousand Islands High School. Additionally, she attended Jefferson Community College pursuing a liberal arts degree. In 1995, she received a diploma for successful completion for a course of study in Interior Decorating from International Correspondence Schools.
On November 3rd, 1979 she married Kevin L. Orvis at St. John’s Catholic Church in LaFargeville. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2000. Kelly worked as a librarian for the Town of Orleans for 30 years, until her passing. During that time she moved the library and all of its contents twice, completely rejuvenating its interior design. Additionally she took on duties as the Town Historian. She took a great deal of pride in her work—-and worked hard. She was incredibly organized and had an eye for detail.
Kelly enjoyed decorating, collecting antiques, painting and writing. She was a free-lance artist and author and in 2005 created a mural which continues to be on display at the Payntor Senior Center in Clayton. She has published her writing works in an anthology through Poets and Writers Ink in Cape Vincent. She was looking forward to retirement to further develop these adventures.
Surviving is her sole daughter Kerry Orvis Hill (Patrick) of Plessis; her mother Joan (House) Brown of Clayton; six grandchildren; one brother, Michael R. (Penny) Brown of Clayton; one sister, Lynne (Gerald) Spears of Clayton.
Donations can be made in her name to the Orleans Public Library to sustain the love of reading and books in the community. In lieu of flowers, new or gently loved children’s books will be collected and distributed to students in the community in her honor. Condolences can be made at trjetty.com.
The remainder of a family (Outerbridge) trust fund will be bestowed upon Kingston General Hospital to further neurobiology research.
Sharon Reid
JOAN I am sorry about the death of your daughter Kelly, pray your doing ok , take care old Bomax friend .
Bob Arnebeck
Kelly was a wonderful librarian and a pleasure to chat with. We wish we had visited the library more after our son graduated and that we had kept more books overdue (which she never fined us for.) Bob Arnebeck, Leslie Kuter and Ottoleo Kuter-Arnebeck LCS 2005