Colleen Rhea Kelley

Colleen Rhea Kelley, also known to her friends as “KK,” died Oct. 20 in a car accident outside of Polson. Colleen was born on June 12, 1960, in Portland, Ore. She grew up in Missoula, attending Hellgate High School.

As an adult she spent time in Vermont, California and the Washington, D.C., area. Returning to Montana, Colleen settled in Polson where she became a devoted employee of Delaney’s Nursery and Landscaping for over 25 years. She loved her work and enjoyed finding her customers the perfect trees and shrubs for their property. Energetic and competitive, kind and generous, Colleen was a great cook, cat lover and cut-throat cribbage player.

Colleen is survived by her father, Richard H. Kelley, her mother, Mary S. Kelley, of Missoula, sister Mary Jean Martin of Helena, nephews Harley Lysons of Helena, Jamie Kelley of Portland, Ore., niece Devin Kelley of Pittsburg, Pa., and several great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her kitty, Rikki, and a host of dear friends.

Colleen is preceded in death by her younger brother, Robert Kelley, who was surely there to greet her. Colleen will prepare the shrimp dip while Robert sets up the board for a fierce chess match!

Donations can be made in Colleen’s name to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter or plant a tree in her memory.

A memorial is planned for the spring when the Flathead cherries are in bloom.