Kellianne (Kel) McMahon never sought the spotlight. For 34 years, she devoted herself to caring for others as a midwife at Bendigo Health, spending 20 of those years in the Special Care Nursery. Quietly and with unwavering dedication, she nurtured premature babies, supported families through their toughest moments and mentored colleagues with kindness and wisdom.
In 2007, Kel was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the years, she faced each recurrence with calm determination. Despite surgeries, treatments and setbacks, Kel refused to let her illness define her. She kept embracing life. She kept working. She kept caring.
“She never complained,” her husband Tim recalled. “Illness was something to manage. Her focus was always on getting back to work. When that was no longer possible, we travelled and made memories together.”
From African adventures to watching the Northern Lights in Finland, the passionate AFL Saint’s fan embraced life to the full. Kel passed away in February 2025, just one month before her 60th birthday and shortly after learning she would become a grandmother.
Tim said Kel never sought attention and would have likely been embarrassed by the crowd at her funeral. Yet, she never shied away from facing what needed to be done. Quietly strong, compassionate and capable, she made a lasting impression on everyone who crossed her path.
To honour Kel’s enduring spirit and strength, Tim created Kel’s Sober Saints, a Dry July team that has to-date raised thousands to support cancer services at Bendigo Health.
“I spent nearly a year as Kel’s fulltime carer. After she passed, I had so much to give and nowhere to put it. This was my way to keep moving forward,” Tim said.
Pictuerd: Tim McMahon in the Special Care Nursery where Kel worked.
Kel’s legacy lives on through her family and the grandson she never met, her friends and colleagues. You can contribute to that legacy by donating to Kel’s Sober Saints before 31 August to support cancer services at Bendigo Health. Visit: Support Kel’s Sober Saints this Dry July and make a donation.
For more information visit: Bendigo Health - Dry July 2025