Carmen "Kathleen" (Holley) McKell

Carmen “Kathleen” Holley McKell

February 22, 1927 - June 15, 2022

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Kathleen Holley McKell, 95, of Springville, passed away on June 15, 2022.

Kathleen’s children and grandchildren were the love and light of her life. She was so proud of them! She loved her ranch in Hobble Creek Canyon, her flower gardens, water turns, reading, learning new things, caring for her grandchildren and spending time with family. Kathleen enjoyed sitting on her porch watching the birds in her yard and having meaningful conversations with her kids and grandkids.

Kathleen graduated from Springville High School in 1945 and married the late Sam B. McKell in 1947. Early on in their marriage they moved to California and began raising turkeys. A few years later they moved to Fullerton, California where Kathleen raised her beautiful family while working for the social security administration.

In 1973 Kathleen moved back to Springville where she continued raising her children while working at ZCMI and at State Inc. Construction Co. Kathleen had an adventurous spirit which led her to go skydiving in Australia at age 81! She was a lifelong Jazz fan, had a curious and keen mind, a sharp wit, contagious smile, warm heart, and generous spirit.

Spending quality time and keeping family close were top priorities for Kathleen. She will be deeply missed by her children Samuel Holley McKell, Pamela Kristine (G.L) Pabst, Carmen Kathleen McKell, and Robert Clark McKell, her 21 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents Richard Farris and Carmen St. Claire Clark Holley, brothers Richard Holley, Robert Holley, grand-son Bryston Pabst, and daughter-in-law Nedra Dee Roney McKell. Everyone that knew Kathleen loved her.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 10:00-10:45 am at the Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South, Springville. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery. She’ll be laid to rest near her beloved aunt.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to join us in person, you may view the Service HERE

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