Linda Lee McKelvey

June 15, 1948 - September 7, 2017

Linda Lee McKelvey (nee Nettleton), 69, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at her home in Arvada, CO on September 7, 2017. Linda was born June 15, 1948 in St. Louis, MO. She graduated from Kirkwood High School in St. Louis in 1966, and went on to earn a B.S. in Education from Southwest Missouri State University in 1970. During her time at Southwest Missouri State, Linda was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority and served on the Executive Council of the Student Union Board.

While in college, Linda was introduced to James (Jim) B. McKelvey of St. Louis, MO through a mutual friend. After beginning their relationship on a blind date, the couple married in 1970 shortly after Linda's graduation from college. Pursuing her career in education, Linda became a devoted 5th grade teacher at Long Elementary School in St. Louis, MO.

Jim and Linda moved frequently with his job and spent time in many different cities including Kansas City, KS; New Orleans, LA; Huntington Beach, CA; Tunkhannock, PA; Sherman, TX; Camarillo, CA; St. Louis, MO; Marietta, GA; and Columbus, OH before moving to Arvada, CO. During this time, Jim and Linda had two children; Jeffrey and Leslie. Linda transitioned from her career in education to becoming a full-time homemaker and became actively involved in the community.

Linda was passionate about helping people and she found this work truly fulfilling, volunteering with various Parent-Teacher Associations, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Walton Band and Orchestra Parents, and Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. In addition to starting a company that assisted elementary schools with hosting book fairs, she worked for several years at the Mt. Bethel Older Adult Center in Marietta, GA. During the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Linda and Jim not only volunteered their time, but opened their home to host the family of an Olympic track and field athlete from Australia.

After losing her mother to breast cancer at an early age, Linda committed to helping make a difference in the fight against breast cancer by participating in the “Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day” walk, teaming up with her daughter Leslie to raise thousands of dollars to support the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. Linda trained in Atlanta, then joined Leslie to complete the 60-mile walk in Colorado.

Additionally, Linda was a talented artist and was known for her beautifully decorated cakes and indulgent ice cream pies that were a staple at family birthday celebrations for many years. She loved all animals, but shelter dogs in particular held a special place in Linda’s heart. She loved to travel with her family and friends, and some of her favorite places included Alaska, Hawaii, Charleston, Boston and the northeast, the Disney parks, Silver Dollar City, national parks and the beach. Linda also had a penchant for finding treasured items at garage sales.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Van and Mary (Donze) Nettleton. She is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Jeff (Francie) and Leslie (Tom) Ryan; and two grandchildren, Madeline and Ian Ryan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Olinger Crown Hill, 7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Linda’s name to the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado, 455 N. Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203 or Halcyon Hospice & Palliative Care, PO Box 177

Mead, CO 80542.