Tina Marie Kelly

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Tina Marie Kelly (Hovden) of Newman Lake, Washington, on May 19, 2023, at the age of 61. Tina was born on March 23, 1962, in Lewistown, Montana, daughter of Roy and Pearl Hovden.

Born the youngest of six children, Tina was an adorable, blond-haired, blue-eyed spitfire. Her sisters were just elated on the arrival of their baby sister!  The race was always on when school was out to see who got home first to hold Tina. They came running to all her even slight whimpers, pampering and cradling her for hours on end.  Never mind the homework! She was our bundle of joy!    

Tina grew up in Lewistown and graduated from Fergus High School in 1980.  After graduation she attended the University of Montana in Missoula, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. In 1986, she completed her internship at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane and began her exciting career as a medical technologist with Pathologists' Regional Laboratory in Lewiston, Idaho, and then Instrumentation Laboratory in Spokane. In 1990, she went to work for Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories (PAML), located in Spokane. PAML soon became her second family, where she enjoyed a long career working with many memorable friends and co-workers.  

Tina was a fun spirited soul who took on many passions that included scuba diving, snorkeling, biking, yoga classes, gardening, camping and jogging and running in marathons. She also enjoyed photography and creating photo books of all her adventures, family members, and displays of all the beautiful flowers in her yard. She loved spending some weekends with her cherished, longtime friends Margie and Bob at the lakeside cabins. Margie: Tina was a true friend, loved and adored by many. She will be truly missed by many.  

She married Terry Kelly, on April 24, 1998, in Spokane, Washington. Together, they enjoyed many scuba diving and snorkeling adventures. The San Juan Islands quickly became one of their favorite places to dive, and to venture into the unknown. They also went diving off the coast of Vancouver in British Columbia where they explored a shipwreck! Fun!  Dive trips included diving off the coast of Monterey, California and some diving nearby in the Spokane river. Tina enjoyed taking many underwater pictures of the array of brightly colored fish, sea plants, coral reefs, and creatures with every color of the rainbow. She couldn't wait to create more photo books that she loved to share with friends and family members. 

Tina always traveled to Lewistown for annual 4th of July family gatherings. She would often stop in Missoula and hike to the Big "M" on Mt Sentinel. You go girl! Upon her arrival at her mom's house in Lewistown, the celebration was on!  

Tina is survived by her brother Dale Hovden and her sister Sonja Shields (Hovden), her loving aunt Sonja and uncle Joe and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.   

She was preceded in death by her husband Terry, her parents Roy and Pearl, her sister Patti, sister Sandy, brother Jimmy, niece Britany, nephew Tom, and many other precious relatives.    

A graveside service followed by a reception will be held in Lewistown, MT at a future date to be announced. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to People and Carnivores, 

P.O. Box 6733, Bozeman, MT 59771

(peopleandcarnivores.org)    

Tina was spunky, fun-loving, outgoing and vivacious! She will be missed more than any words could express and she will be forever in our hearts. Tina - until we meet again little sister ......

To share memories of Tina and leave condolences for the family, please visit Tina's Tribute Wall.