RIP Lorna Kelly

Some of you might know Lorna Kelly as the first woman to be a fine arts auctioneer at Sothby’s. Others might know her as an author and inspirational speaker. She also was the auctioneer for many a charity auction in New York City.

We met her through the Broadway Bears Auction and became friends. We would see each other at various Broadway Cares events and she would catch up on the kids and we would find out what she had been up to.

As an auctioneer she was magnificent. She could play the room and get things going then keep it going until the gavel came down. She was well known for the phrases, “Don’t look at them, look at me. Now the bid is (whatever it was)” and “I can wait”.

We knew that she had battle breast cancer and come back from it.

I also knew from talking to her some about her travels and work with the poor but until I read her NYT obit, I didn’t know the scope of it.

She believed in helping others and let her beliefs be known by her actions.

She was a one of a kind person that you are happy that you met them because they are so unique. I think she found our family interesting too. I know she liked my puppets.

The Bear auction has been done for a number of years but we would still see her at The Broadway Flea Market. It is going to feel very different this year. There is going to be one heck of a Lorna sized hole there.

She will be missed.

My sympathies to her friends and family.

I am grateful that I met Lorna.