Renee Novotny's Tribute to Kelley Worth on June 7th, 2025
Posted
-
- Jul
- 1
- 2025
by Elizabeth Boisson
Kelley Worth / Aleia Jade and Kelley
Hi, I’m Renee Novotny.
I’m a friend of Kelley’s and one of the momma bears in her Helping Parents Heal WNC tribe.
I met Kelley just over two years ago, in March 2023, when she hosted her very first HPH WNC meeting in Clyde, in her space above the Star Seeded Shop. It was ten months after Aleia had transitioned—and just three weeks after my son, Ryan, had transitioned.
Even in the early stages of her own grief, Kelley stepped up to help others. That day, at the end of the meeting, she looked around the room and said:
“You know our kids are right here. They are with us now.”
That was my first glimmer of hope—my first sense that maybe I could still connect with my son. I wanted that. I needed that. Kelley gave me that gift.
Kelley had many beautiful gifts—she brought comfort, love, and healing to so many grieving parents. Over the past two years, she made a profound impact on my life—and on the lives of countless other moms in our HPH community.
She didn’t just participate in Helping Parents Heal—she lived and breathed it. Kelley facilitated, co-facilitated, and participated in five different special interest groups. She was a trusted guide, a deep listener, a source of compassion, wisdom, and laughter.
She encouraged us to try new things—automatic writing, creating mandalas to calm our monkey brains, pulling oracle cards, guided meditations, and trusting our intuition. She brought in amazing speakers and introduced us to topics like soul planning, astrology, self-care, sound healing—even extra meetings to help us through the holidays.
Just this past Wednesday, 65 moms—and a few dads, including Rob—from HPH gathered on Zoom to honor Kelley. The stories we shared about Kelley were full of love and deep gratitude.
During our gathering one message came through again and again:
When Kelley met someone new—over coffee, on a call, at lunch—she had this way of making you feel like an instant friend. She listened with her heart. She understood without explanation. She was real, compassionate, and easy to talk to.
She gently offered suggestions, never pushed. She encouraged us. And she checked in with us to make sure we were okay.
I think Kelley has dozens of best friends. And we all love her.
She was thoughtful, candid, vulnerable, never judgmental. She validated our pain, honored our grief, and celebrated every step of our healing—while still walking through her own grief and healing journey.
Many of us told her, again and again:
“I couldn’t have done this without you.”
That’s the kind of difference she made.
I hope many of us will carry that torch forward—helping others, the way Kelley helped us.
One of the many things I admire about Kelley was the way she loved Aleia’s friends. She showed up for their music events, Rock Academy shows, and celebrations—not out of obligation, but out of pure joy and pride.
To Aleia’s friends here today—you are part of Kelley and Rob’s extended family. They love you.
And I want to share this:
When us momma bears get to hear stories about our kids from their friends…
When we see photos or videos you took…
When we’re invited into the world our kids shared with you—
It helps us feel closer to them in a different way, and we love that.
It’s another layer of healing
So please—keep reaching out to Rob.
Keep inviting him in.
Keep supporting each other. It truly means the world.
On behalf of Kelley’s HPH tribe—we take comfort in knowing Kelley is now reunited with Aleia in spirit.
We all know how much Rob and Kelley miss Aleia’s laughter, her voice, her radiant presence.
I imagine the two of them now—together again—going to amusement parks, riding rollercoasters, going to concerts, and watching over us… maybe they’ve met Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and Chester from Linkin Park.
And while our hearts are at peace knowing they’re together again, we also ache.
We’ll miss Kelley’s sparkling eyes.
Her joyful laugh.
Her soulful, genuine love.
For me—I’ll always hold the image of Kelley’s big smile, her shining eyes, and the way she’d say:
“YASSS QUEEN!”
She said it when she got excited. She said it when she heard Aleia say it. And I still hear her voice when I think of her now.
Kelley—from all of us: thank you.
For your wisdom.
For your friendship.
For being our rock, our guide, our light
Thank you for loving us, loving our kids in spirit, and for everything you taught us along the way.
We promise to LEVEL UP in your honor.
We know you’ll be checking in… hugging our kids in spirit… and walking beside us when we call your name.
And now, one last time, with all our love—
YASSS QUEEN!
~Renee Novotny
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