Kelly Anne Whalen

Kelly Anne Whalen was born in Calgary on April 23, 1960, and passed away suddenly of heart failure on November 29, 2025, in Olds, AB.

Kelly was the baby of our family. How does one write an obituary for their little sister? The heartbreak is indescribable. Kelly was forever the eternal optimist with a larger-than-life personality and a big, open, loving heart, and had a sense of humor that should have taken her on tour as a stand-up comedian. Kelly was all about family, and while we were scattered, she often reminisced about the family gatherings she had growing up with mom and dad, her siblings, and all our friends. She used to say there was pure joy and love in all that chaos! Her good-hearted nature drew many long-lasting friendships because she was loving, caring, and most of all authentic to her core. Her love of animals was her greatest joy. She couldn’t walk anywhere without her stopping to engage with someone walking their dog and asking to pet them, and they’d let her because they instinctively knew she was kind and loving.

Kelly is survived by her siblings, Lindsay Whalen, Cathy Whalen, Sandra Forzani, Don Jr. (Joy) Whalen, Barbara Whalen, Virginia Whalen, Mike (Holly) Whalen; and several nieces and nephews who will miss their Aunt Kelly terribly. Kelly was preceded in passing by our parents, Edith and Don Whalen.

Kelly will be cremated, and the family will hold a celebration of life in Vancouver later in the New Year while we all take this time to process and mourn the loss of our baby sister, Kelly Bird. We hope this gathering will bring comfort and a chance to share stories that honor her vibrant life.

The family wishes to acknowledge Jackie Macleod and her family in Olds for their friendship and for embracing Kelly as one of their own.

If you wish to honor Kelly’s memory, consider a donation to your local animal shelter in her name.