KAREN KELLEY

1936 - 2022

KAREN LEE KELLEY

May 2, 1936 Nov. 24, 2022

Karen Lee Kelley passed away peacefully at her home in Brawley with her family by her side on Thursday, November 24, 2022. Karen was born to Eugene and Emelin Hachten in Huntington Park, California on May 2 1936.

As a young girl, Karen looked very much like Shirley Temple with her cute dimples and beautiful smile. She remained close to her only brother, Stephen Hachten, throughout her life.

Her family moved frequently due to her father's career in the cattle industry. She moved to Brawley and attended Brawley Union High School, where she met lifelong friends and her future husband, Malcolm Kelley. Eventually moving to Glendora, she graduated from Citrus High School in 1954.

She attended the University of Redlands and graduated from Sawyer Business College in Pasadena and IVC with a degree in journalism.

In 1956, Karen landed her dream job as a studio secretary for Twentieth Century Fox Movie Studios. She was the private secretary for Pat Boone and Mickey Rooney. She worked on the production set of The King and I, Carousel and South Pacific. Her time at 20th Century Fox developed her love for theater and music, which she carried with her throughout her life.

Karen and Malcolm, reunited as he was attending the University of Southern California, and they were married February 14, 1958, in Glendale, California.

They settled in Brawley and began their life together, welcoming three children, Kevin, Janet, and Ryan. They were married 64 years.

Karen had a passion for writing and traveling. She wrote many poems and short stories for family members. Her writings will always be cherished.

Karen and Malcolm went on many adventures; Costa Rica, Banff, Paris, and especially Ireland, where they enjoyed the sights, heritage, and golf.

In 1983, Karen started working for the Pioneers Memorial Hospital Foundation and was instrumental in raising funds for the PMH Intensive Care Unit. In 1986, she became the manager of the Red Cross Imperial Valley Service Center. She was responsible for all disaster relief in the county. In 2001, she retired with recognition for her outstanding service to the Red Cross.

Karen dedicated her time to many organizations in Brawley. She was PTA president of Witter School, a member of PEO Sisterhood Chapter BS, and a frequent contributor to the Imperial Valley Press, writing articles about her interests in bird watching, nature, family values, and her love for our country.

Karen's deep faith and love for Jesus Christ truly defined her. She attended the Brawley First United Methodist Church, serving as the worship leader and Sunday school coordinator and many summers of Vacation Bible School.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Hachten and Emelin Hachten Sutton; her son, Kevin Eugene Kelley; and her granddaughter, Emily Lauren Winkowski.

Karen Lee Kelley is survived by her beloved husband, Malcolm Kelley; her daughter, Janet Winkowski with Tom; her son, Ryan Kelley with Robyn; her daughter-in- law, Marybeth Kelley; her brother, Stephen Hachten with Susie; and her eight grandchildren, Kathleen Spanos, Kevin Kelley Jr., Erin Holmes, Maureen Kelley, Charles Winkowski, Bridget Kelley, Conor Kelley, and Andrew Winkowski; and great grandson, Kellen Spanos.

Our family will always be grateful to her caregivers, Mari, Olivia and Josie for the amazing love and care they gave to mom and our whole family.

A Celebration of Life for Karen Lee Kelley will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Brawley on Saturday, January 14, 2022 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Pioneers Memorial Hospital Foundation or The American Red Cross.