Sons’ Unconventional Obit for Their ‘Wild and Wayward’ Mom Goes Viral: ‘Bring a Shovel’

The sons of Jennifer 'Jennie' Ann Kelly wrote a hilariously honest obit following their late mom's death on Oct. 28

Courtesy Sean Kelly Jennie Kelly

Courtesy Sean Kelly

Jennie Kelly
  • Jennifer "Jennie" Ann Kelly's sons made headlines after writing an unconventional death notice for their late mom, which was published in the Sydney Morning Herald

  • The obit included telling people to "bring a shovel" while talking about what's next following their mother's death on Monday, Oct. 28

  • "I cannot decide whether Jennie would be mortified by the interest the obit generated or pleased. Her friends tell me that she would have been delighted at all the attention," Sean Kelly tells PEOPLE

An Australian family's unconventional death notice is being talked about around the world.

Jennifer Ann Kelly, known as Jennie, died on Monday, Oct. 28 at age 88, and her sons Sean and Chris Kelly — who grew up in the Sydney suburb of Forestville, New South Wales — have since written a tribute to their "wild and wayward" mother, per the Sydney Morning Herald.

In the piece published by the outlet on Saturday, Nov. 2, Sean insisted the family "refused to say 'passed,' " and referenced Jennie's love of drinking champagne and gin, among other facts about her.

The Sydney Morning Herald The unconventional death notice has gone viral

The Sydney Morning Herald

The unconventional death notice has gone viral

Related: Son Wrote Hilarious Obituary So Dad Wouldn't Be 'Forgotten,' Instead It Went Viral and Made Millions Smile

“We spend most of our lives compensating for our upbringing said Jennie. She believed that exposing youth to religion was a form of child abuse," the message read.

"It was impossible to watch the news in her presence due to her vocal outrage at the way the country is run. She held John Howard in particular contempt," the post added, referencing Australia's former prime minister.

The brothers continued, "Mum grew great dope, never wanted to leave a party and gave up champagne or gin frequently, but never simultaneously.”

"Her rare attempts at 'responsible' parenting or grandparenting were always touching. She said Sean was a much better driver than Chris. News on what's next to follow. Bring a shovel," the post concluded.

Courtesy Sean Kelly Jennie Kelly

Courtesy Sean Kelly

Jennie Kelly

Related: Son’s Hilarious Obituary for Dad Who ‘Broke the Mold’ Goes Viral: ‘He Is God’s Problem Now’

After the post made headlines, solicitor and author Sean Kelly said, per the Sydney Morning Herald, “Sometimes the words just resonate. And the fact that Mum had opinions and was different and didn’t think like everyone else, I just managed to capture her.”

Speaking with PEOPLE, Sean says that he "cannot decide whether Jennie would be mortified by the interest the obit generated or pleased."

However, he adds that "her friends tell me that she would have been delighted."

"Mum would have approved of the tone and style used in the obit and the comments very much reflect who she was," he says. "She was fiercely loyal to her sons and we all got along very well although most of our neighbors became very fed up with all the music and activity emanating from our house."

Getty A stock photo of a candle

Getty

A stock photo of a candle

Author of The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan, Lisa Herbert, was among those commenting on the obit on social media, sharing a link to the post on Facebook and writing, "Rest well, Jennie. We would have been great friends. 🍾"

Others commented on the Sydney Morning Herald piece. "Your mum sounds phenomenal. The amazing tribute has reached thousands of people in the U.K.," one person wrote.

"I wish I'd known [Jennie], she sounds wonderful. Thank you for a wonderful obituary - clearly [Jennie] lived until she died," another added.

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The death notice comes after Christina Novak went viral for posting a four-sentence obit for her mom in the Kennebec Journal on Aug. 30.

It read: "Florence 'Flo' Harrelson, 65, formerly of Chelsea, died on Feb. 22, 2024, without family by her side due to burnt bridges and a wake of destruction left in her path."

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Novak, 47, said it was "no joke."

"It was written with sarcasm and relief, but it’s real,” she added. “It was done in four sentences because I refused to spend another dollar on that woman.”

"Florence did not want an obituary or anyone including family to know she died," the obituary continued. "That’s because even in death, she wanted those she terrorized to still be living in fear looking over their shoulders. So, this isn’t so much an obituary but more of a public service announcement."