Barbara Kell's Obituary
But, sure, the sky is big, I said;
Miles and miles above my head;
So here upon my back I lie
And look my fill into the sky.
And so I looked, and after all,
The sky was not so very tall.
The sky, I said must somewhere stop,
And- sure enough- I see the top!
(Excerpt from Renascence by Edna St. Vincent Millay) Barbara Ann (Sayles) Kell touched the top of the sky on January 7, 2014. Barbara was born on December 19,1935 in Loyal, Wisconsin, the daughter of Benjamin and Agnes Sayles. She married Dale R. Kell (deceased 1990) on November 1, 1954. She moved from Wausau, where she raised her family, to Amherst in 1992, where she enjoyed the peace of country living. She was fond of poetry and music, laughter and solitude. She loved books and animals, flowers and herbs, sunshine and silliness. Politics and Public Television comprised a couple of her passions, along with a robust collection of kitchen gear and gadgets. Barbara liked everything to be tidy - A place for everything and everything in its place. Her hand-pressed, folded laundry was like a work of art. She spent warm Sundays on her porch with a cup of coffee and the New York Times crossword puzzle. Later in the day, with the puzzle solved, she'd switch to the drink author H.L. Mencken called the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet - the martini. Gran, always knew what was up and then a bit more. Her wry remarks, whether on politics or the absurd doings of the grandkids, made those around her grin. Always willing to lend an ear, she was sympathetic to her people’s struggles and immensely proud of their accomplishments. Her family and her cat Jasper will miss her quick wit and quiet wisdom. She is survived by two brothers, Tom (Cecil Ann) Sayles and Harold (Susan) Sayles; six children, Peter (Ruth Loppnow) Kell, Paul (Jaci) Kell, Polly (Daniel) Sullivan, Patrick (Colleen) Kell, Penny (Michael) Turner and Peggy Farrell; twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family sends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers and staff at the Portage County Health Care Center who shared so much of their time and compassion with Barbara. A remembrance gathering will be held at Jordan Park in Stevens Point on January 25 from 1:00-5:00 pm. Admirers may send donations in Barbara's name to the Portage County Humane Society, 3200 Iber Lane, Plover, WI 54467. Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements.
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