Katherine Victoria Godfroy Kelch

Katherine Victoria Godfroy Kelch, an irrepressible artist and photographer went on to new adventures in the next world on April 22, 2022. She found beauty in the untold stories of the down-trodden, the forlorn, and the underdogs of the world and boldly told their stories through her awarding-winning photography.

Born October 15, 1947, Ms. Godfroy Kelch was of French-Indian descent and a descendent of Miami Indian War Chief, Francis Godfroy. She grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and moved to Kearneyville, WV as a young woman with her grandmother Lillian Page. She attended St. Joseph’s High School in Martinsburg. After graduating from Hood College, Ms. Godfroy Kelch led a long and varied career in public service, including serving on the leadership team in the early days of the Shenandoah Women’s Center, where she fearlessly advocated for victims of domestic abuse.

Known as Vicki, in the late 1960’s and 1970’s, she could be found in Shepherdstown and at Ferry Hill, cultivating friendships with local standouts like Zora Leimbacher, Jeannie Miller, George Wilson, Clifford Branson and Charles & Jeanne Owens.

Having left her public advocacy roles, she found peace and quiet in the gardens of Popodicon at Shepherd University as she tended to the upkeep and beautification of the University Presidents’ home. It was during these years that she found a shared love of photography and a kindred spirit in close friend Benita Keller, with whom she traveled to Cuba to capture images of everyday street life and its moody milieus.

Later in life, she pursued her passion for travel alongside her partner, Marsha, and they marveled at and enjoyed the cultures of China, Thailand, Croatia, Israel, Jordan, Slovenia, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Egypt, the Serengeti, Hawaii, St. Maarten, Alaska, Montenegro, Tulum, Joshua Tree and her favorite coastal destination – Big Sur, California.

Vicki was a fierce advocate for social justice and animal rights, lovingly providing homes for her rescue pets Uray, Molly G, CJ, Matthew, Sappho, and Tara.

She is survived by her daughter, Caitlin, her granddaughter, Viola, family member Ryan Guerrero, and her beloved partner of 17 years, Marsha Orlov. Vicki also shared her love with Marsha’s children – Jill, Jeff and Jennifer Orlov and her granddaughters Sloane and Sabrina Orlov. Her spirit remains bright and alive, reminding us to keep our eyes and hearts open to opportunities to share kind words and practice compassion with others who may not be in a position to ask for it.

A small private service will be held at sunset at Ferry Hill at a later date. Please contact Caitlin Kelch by email at caitkelch@gmail.com for more information.