Andrea Lynn Kelter

Andrea Lynn Kelter May 12, 1959 - June 12, 2024 “Mama, women like you are mostly mythological. Mountainesque matriarchs whose stories we borrow from, to keep some starch in our backs, stars in our eyes…” This was Andrea. Strong, incredibly intelligent, iron-willed, wise, loving, extremely hard working, courageous, always willing to care for those who needed her, adventurous, generous, and never afraid of forging her own way. She built a highly successful corporate career in Ontario and Nova Scotia, which she eventually retired from to pursue her dream of opening a small shop, The Painted Whale, on her favourite island in the Bay of Fundy. Her lovely shop delighted so many for years, and enabled her to live the life she’d always wanted; near the whales, the sea, and her peace. An avid animal lover, Andrea rescued countless dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, horses, raccoons, and even a fawn she named Norman. She dedicated enormous effort, time, and money towards the protection of the endangered North Atlantic Right Whales. Andrea was incredibly knowledgeable on a myriad of topics, but marine biology and whales in particular were her favourite subject. She could name almost any bird, she knew every plant and flower, she knew the way of the tides, the best scone recipes, and all the good music (Supertramp, The Eagles, Led Zepplin, classical, and more) — she was an encyclopedia. Andrea was a single mother who loved and believed in her daughter so very much, and to whom she tried her best to impart her encyclopedic knowledge to. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her girl. She was a great horseback rider, a skilled sailor, boater and navigator, a trailer-travelling enthusiast, an avid reader, a terrible but passionate singer, and a gifted writer. She made beautiful stained glass, heirloom quilts, embroidery, lopapeysa sweaters, knitted hats, and more; she had the unique gift of being accomplished at everything she put her hand to. Andrea was a rare and extraordinary person. Brilliant, complicated, challenging, caring, thoughtful, witty, wry, and so full of love. She was the person you always wanted in your corner when the chips were down. The daughter of German immigrants who came to Canada with nothing and built so much together, Edith and Josef Kelter were immensely proud of their daughter, and she is reunited with them now. Her legacy lives on in her daughter, Alexandra Kelter (James Lindsay), and her beloved brother Mark (Kim) Kelter. She will be dearly missed, and remembered in laughter and in tears, in all of the wisdom she imparted, and in all of the good she achieved. She is beloved. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help champion Andrea’s beloved whales at https://wwf.ca/species/north-atlantic-right-whales/ Or to Nova Scotia wildlife rescue, Hope for Wildlife, at https://www.hopeforwildlife.net/support