Kelley Kristine Halvorson

Halvorson, Kelley Kristine (Escue)
Our beloved Kelley Kristine (Escue) Halvorson, 43, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on February 10, 2017. Kelley was a beautiful soul who burned brightly and was extinguished too soon. She was born to Dr. Douglas Escue and Patricia (Gannon) Escue on September 20, 1973 in Dallas, Texas. Kelley grew up in Clear Lake City, Texas and graduated from Oldfields School, a college preparatory school in Maryland. She went on to Texas Christian University where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and graduated with her degree in education. She later attended graduate school at Arizona State University. Kelley was born to teach. She was a skillful, creative, and passionate educator, gaining the respect of all of her grade school and special education students, many of whom she kept in touch with over the years. There was never a year that she didn't use her own money to make her classroom a special place to visit. Kelley had the kind of smile and a slight southern accent that instantly drew you to her and put you at ease. One couldn't help but smile back. She was the first to offer a helping hand or to laugh at a joke- even at her own expense, and to see the goodness in others. She enjoyed fashion, crafting, staying fit, being silly, and motherhood, which was far and away her greatest attribute. Her greatest love and joy were her two sons Colin and Spencer. Kelley was a caring, supportive and devoted mother to her two boys. She was so very proud of each of them, and had a special way of recognizing and encouraging the individual interests and strengths of each. She zealously made sure they could participate in the sports and activities they loved including football, basketball, and chess. But it is on the baseball diamond where their real passion is and they both continue to be superstars. Both boys excel in the classroom and have huge futures in front of them in whatever they choose to accomplish. This is the greatest legacy Kelley leaves behind. She described them as the "greatest kids, sweet, smart, well-mannered and very loving." Kelley is survived by her two sons, Colin Michael Halvorson and Spencer Douglas Halvorson; her parents, Dr. Douglas Escue and Patricia Escue of Houston, Texas; her brother Bradley Escue and sister-in-law Crystal Escue, and their two daughters Hannah and Madeline of Tomball, Texas; her former husband Michael Halvorson and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Walter and Beth Escue and her maternal grandparents, John and Marjorie Gannon, all for whom she had a deep love and affection. A memorial mass and celebration of Kelley's life will be held Friday, February 17, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 10815 N. 84th St., Scottsdale, Arizona. In lieu of flowers a contribution can be made to the National Autism Association, One Park Avenue, Suite 3, Portsmouth, RI, 02871