Myra "Margaret" Kelly

Margaret was born on April 30, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois. She spent her childhood in Craig, Colorado, and later in Grand Junction, Colorado. After divorcing her father, Margaret’s mother, Ruby Farmer Renfro Cady, supported her and her ten brothers and sisters on wages of forty-five cents an hour. Due to the inequities faced by her mother and herself, Margaret grew to be a feminist activist. She eventually became the President of the San Juan Women’s Liberation Association. She fought hard for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s and remained committed to the principle of equality to her death.

Margaret graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1949 and later earned a teaching degree from what is now known as the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. She was co-owner of Kelly’s Backhoe & Excavating in Farmington, New Mexico, for over 20 years.

Margaret was a multi-talented speaker, writer, linguist, pianist and painter. In the weeks before her death, she completed a memoir of short stories entitled Feminist Roots. As a steadfast defender of the English language, I am sure she would identify every error in this tribute. She was also a recent member of West Pasco Toastmasters Club #2824 in New Port Richey, Florida.

Margaret had the heart of an adventurer. She flew planes, roller-skated, and scuba dived. At 75, she took off to Lima, Peru and lived for four months in a house loaned to her by the family of her English as a Second Language student. She marveled at Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines and never stopped talking about them through the rest of her life. She also visited other countries throughout Central America, Europe, and North Africa, always gaining a broader perspective and invaluable life experience. Margaret Kelly was truly a citizen of the world.

Margaret is survived by her sons, Kelly DeWester of Battlement Mesa, Colorado, and Richard Kelly of New Port Richey, Florida; her daughter, Melissa (Kelly) Doell of New Port Richey, Florida; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Although she was the oldest, all 10 of her brothers and sisters preceded her in death - June Renfro, Ramona Jo Renfro, Melissa Joan Renfro, Sammy Renfro, Danny Renfro, William “Bill” Renfro, Roger Renfro, Kelly Renfro, Harvey Denny, and Phyllis (Renfro) Estes.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Martin Mortuary. Her funeral service will take place following day on Friday, October 6th at 1:30 p.m. at Martin Mortuary with a graveside to follow at Crown Point (Appleton) Cemetery, 945 23 ½ Road, Grand Junction, CO 81505.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s name to Planned Parenthood Action Fund at www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org; or the American Civil Liberties Union at www.actionaclu.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Kelly family.