Andrea Kelley was a career civil servant. For nearly three decades she served her province with loyalty and distinction. The majority of this service came as the Administrative Assistant to the Minister of Labour. On November 15, she lost her battle with cancer at a much too young 56.
For a two-year period, I worked closely with Andrea as the Director of Communications for Labour. She was a pure delight. A thoughtful and caring individual, her smile literally lit up the room. I close my eyes and I can see that smile and hear the lilt in her voice. She never lost her Cape Breton accent nor her love for the Island.
During her career the list of those she served reads like the Who’s Who of Nova Scotia politics. Among them (and I know I’ll probably overlook one or two) were the late Terry Donahoe, Jack MacIsaac, Jay Abbass, Guy Brown, Gerry O’Malley, Ron Russell, Angus MacIsaac and Russell MacKinnon. And it is important to impart this; I don’t think the Judique native had a political bone in her body.
Perhaps that is the reason she had second thoughts about becoming Dr. John Hamm’s administrative assistant. When she told me about being asked to serve the Premier, she admitted to being a bit reluctant. She didn’t say it, that wasn’t her style, but I sensed she feared she would be branded politically by taking the post.
I sensed the fine hand of either Ron Russell or Angus MacIsaac. They knew her capabilities and one or both probably recommend her promotion. Ron and Dr. Hamm were among the hundreds of mourners who packed St. Mathias Church for the celebration of her life. So too was Jack MacIsaac who not only drove down from New Glasgow on Friday to pay his respects to her husband Bill and daughter Janet, he made the return trip the next morning. I also noted Jay Abbass’ presence.
The day of her passing I called one of her close friends and an associate at Labour. During Andrea’s years at Labour, the Deputy Minister’s Administrative Assistant was Kathy White. Kathy still serves in that capacity. They were very close.
Through tears we talked about her caring nature. She was the most thoughtful person I have ever met. Each year, on my birthday she would call and offer best wishes. On the anniversary of our son’s passing, she would call to let me know she was thinking of us. It turns out that I was one of hundreds who received those calls.
“She had a book, it was held together with tape, that was filled with names and dates,” Kathy said. That explained June Brown’s (Guy’s wife) reaction when I called to let them know about her death.
“What a lovely women,” June offered, “she always called us on our anniversary.”
What a lovely woman indeed! I really don’t like clichés or catch phrases, but I am richer for having known her, and my world won’t quite be the same. I’ll miss those special calls and I’ll truly miss Andrea Kelley.
(Al Hollingsworth is a retired journalist/broadcaster who served for three years as Director of Communications for the Leader of the Opposition)
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