Kelly started school at Methow Valley Christian Academy, graduated from Rocking 7-H Homeschool 1998, attended Asbury College in Kentucky one year, and graduated from John Brown University in Arkansas with a B.A. in illustration/child and family ministries.
Growing up, Kelly was involved in Awana, Okanogan County Fair, violin, drama, Young Life and church activities. As a young adult she enjoyed working with the youth. She worked in AmeriCorps, painting the Methow Valley Community Center and working with Neutral Zone, a precursor of Valley Teen Center. She loved cheering her brothers on through Junior Rodeo and on up to the bigger rodeos, supporting and encouraging them in all their farm and heart ventures; Garret of Elk, Wash., with horses, Aaron’s (also of Elk) rodeos and leather crafts, and Benjamin, of Moses Lake, Wash., in fishing, and all their hunting.
Kelly worked with her sister and brother-in-law, Katie and Mike Desjardins, at Hometown Pizza, loving the children and sharing her creative talents with Ryan, Karyn and Amy.
She interned at Camp Idrahaje (I’d Rather Have Jesus), Colo., ministry and KP at Mt. Rainier National Park. In Twisp she taught one year at Masters Christian School, illustrated a children’s book, worked at Confluence Gallery and NCNB. She also participated in Voices in the Valley under Centricity Music (where she met Ed).
On June 22, 2008, she married Edward Alexander Powidzki, whom God moved from Pennsylvania just for her! Moving to Sequim, Kelly worked at Harper Ridgeview Funeral Home in Port Angeles. In October 2011 they returned to Twisp for two years. While involved in church ministry, they worked at Hometown Pizza until another ministerial opening in Sequim, in November 2012. They have two adored children — daughter, Zephyr Scout, born March 20, 2010, and son Zachariah Isaac, born July 18, 2013.
In April 2013, five months pregnant, Kelly was diagnosed with colon cancer. Following surgery to remove a large tumor, the family prayerfully embarked on an educational journey of natural treatments. Leaning on God, Kelly employed several. Through God’s grace, she delivered a healthy baby and received a clean report in January 2014.
We are thankful she recently enjoyed a trip to Florida (postponed due to cancer) to see Ed’s parents, Karl and Mercedes, and family.
On Sunday, March 30, Kelly was home with her family when she suffered cardiac arrest. EMTs revived her after 90 minutes and transported her to Port Angeles. After a brave fight, she went home to her Savior on March 31, 2014.
The entire family is so thankful for the prayers and support from friends and family over the past year. Kelly’s heart for worship music, reading, painting, nature and working with children touched so many. She truly practiced Jesus, others and you.
She is survived by her parents, sister and brothers, husband, children, and many relatives including Grandma Mary Breed. She was preceded in death by brother Noah Seth, and grandparents Art Breed, Ralph and Evelyn (Stokes) Hammer.
A celebration of life was held at King’s Way in Sequim on April 5 and one is planned for Cascade Bible Church in Twisp at 1 p.m. on Saturday (April 12), with a potluck following.
Donations can be made to the family c/o Calvary Chapel of the Methow Valley, 20077 Highway 20, Twisp, WA 98856.
