Former Times food columnist, Kelly Malkin of Abbotsford was also a dedicated community volunteer who 'epitomized the era of a farm wife merging with the contemporary woman', according to friends.
Photograph by: File photo , Abbotsford Times
Kelly Malkin, a long-time food columnist for the Abbotsford-Mission Times, died on Feb. 4 in Abbotsford. She was 66.
"She loved doing the column," said her son, Patrick, from his home in Red Deer, Alta. "She was always about doing food and trying fun new recipes. We tried a lot of different recipes at home because of it."
Malkin wrote the food column for the Times from 1988 until the mid 1990s, and peppered recipes with many little sayings and wordplay.
"There was also a little story, a little flavour, something relatable - always reasons to hold onto the column," said Patrick. Several newspapers throughout B.C. and the Prairies also picked up the columns, he added.
"It was one of the privileges of my life to work with Kelly during our time as [Times] columnists," said former city councillor Bruce Beck.
"The weeks of column banter leading up to our legendary 'Shop-Off' showed that Kelly never took herself too seriously and was never too busy to help out for a good cause, raising thousands of dollars for the Abbotsford Food Bank. She made me laugh, which is the greatest gift any of us can give another."
Malkin, who lived on a dairy farm on Matsqui Prairie with her husband, Wyatt, and two sons, Patrick and Matthew, was active in the agricultural community and was a director of Agrifair for six years beginning in 1986.
"She epitomized the era of farm wife merged with the contemporary woman," said friend Roxanne Hooper, editor of the Maple Ridge Times.
In her role with Agrifair, Malkin specialized in arts and crafts, jams and preserves and was a huge advocate for the local fair, often writing about it in her Times columns.
"She was well respected in her field and a friend to a lot of people in the community," added Patrick.
One of those was local businesswoman Kim Hissink.
"I have so many wonderful memories of times at the farmhouse sitting in the kitchen chatting with Kelly," said Hissink.
"She was not afraid to speak her mind, and we had many exciting conversations. She was an amazing lady - so full of passion for many things and love of her community."
