Mrs. Barbara Kelsch

Barbara Brockwell (née Nuttall) Kelsch, was born in the county of Lancashire, England in 1940. She passed on to a better place on November 6, 2025. She was predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Donald Nuttall, her son John, and her granddaughter Jessica Helen.

Barbara is survived by her three loving grandchildren, Gemma (Oli), Nicole, and John, all of Yorkshire, England; and by her cherished great-grandchildren, Maia, Willow, Luna, (Gemma and Oli) Sophie, Ryan, Esme (Nicole), and Abigail and Emily (John). There is one estranged daughter and her son Jack. Though not related, Janelle and John Rawnsley were dear enough friends that Barbara called them sister and brother. The same must be said of Christina Burdock, after whom Barbara's beloved dog was named.

Barbara earned a degree in the Psychology of Art at Leeds and Bradford College, where she then taught art classes for 23 years. She also spent years teaching independently, taking classes on trips to London and the countryside for her "plain air" classes. She was well-known for her portraiture, her glass engraving, and house sketches.

In 1973, she first met her current husband who had come to live in Barbara's neighborhood while also teaching in England. It wasn't until 1993 that Barbara reconnected with her former neighbor, married him, and chose life in America. She was warmly welcomed to the Kelsch family and was always deeply grateful for the love they gave her. Barbara was impressed and touched with the affection she received in Augusta, Kentucky.

Known for wonderful stories of England, she was encouraged by her dear friend, Bertha Hough, to motivate friends to begin the Augusta Ghost Walks. These two characters sat around in Bertha's log cabin thinking, "What can we do today?" That started the Fall Festival. Barbara co-founded the ORVAG and became co-founder of Augusta Art Guild because local artists sought her advice knowing Barbara was a member of an art guild in London. She held tea parties for girl scouts and for AIS youngsters, painted the mural at the Augusta Pub, and was very proud of playing a part in the designing of the O'Neill Riverwalk.

She was well-recognized in her 1977 Cadillac as she and her beloved dog, Burdock, cruised Augusta's streets. She was known as the "only woman captain" cruising the Ohio on her much-loved pontoon where Captain Joe Gallenstein always kept an eye out for her.

Barbara proudly displayed her Kentucky Colonel certificate and her Augusta Home Guard membership. Barbara loved Augusta and its residents and if she could, she would hug them and say, "Thanks for 32 years of love."

She is also survived by her "Yorkshire Yank," her husband, Bob Kelsch; niece Marlene (Shawn) Barrett and their children Tristen and Trenton (Kelsey and Bodie); nephew Robin (Angie) Kelsch and their children Tanner, Madison, and Will and Jameel; and nephew Patrick Kelsch and his children Raynah, Korbyn, and Delaney. Also, special family members include Erin Kelsch and Kristen and Adam Bach and their daughters, Avery and Karly. And of course, all the wonderful Kelschs, Hennesseys, and Gassers.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at Metcalfe-Hennessey Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be arranged for a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Augusta Independent Educational Foundation, 307 Bracken St., Augusta, KY 41002 or to the Bracken County Animal Shelter, 188 Hamilton Rd, Brooksville, KY 41004.