Margaret Kelly

Margaret B. Kelly, 89, of Rawlins and most recently the Saratoga Care Center, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, on Monday evening, July 1, 2019. She was born November 27, 1929, in Torrington, Wyoming, to Gerald and Violet Boyer. She spent her entire married life in Rawlins. Margie graduated high school in Torrington, and received her Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Wyoming, in 1949. She married Sam Kelly Jr. on May 5, 1951. They met in Laramie at the University and began their life together in Rawlins. She worked for years with her husband, Sam, at Kelly Oil Company, a Texaco Bulk Plant. She later transitioned to a homemaker and was extremely active locally in many religious and political activities. She was a devoted member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rawlins and attended mass without fail until moving to the Saratoga Care Center in 2016. She always enjoyed the Catholic Easter Monday Luncheon and served as chairwoman of that event. She served as a boy scout den mother and was known for making baked goods, candy for weddings and other special occasions, and in general for her excellent cooking skills. Margie's pride and joy was her political service, locally, for Carbon County, and the State of Wyoming at the national level. She was a staunch Republican and willing to discuss politics in detail with anyone willing to engage with her. She was a national committee woman, delegate to National Republication Conventions, and served for a time as Chairman of the State of Wyoming Republican Party. Through her political travels, she met personally numerous Presidents, such as Ford, Reagan, Bush and men like Henry Kissinger, Dick Cheney, and many, many more. She had a display of pictures with many of these men in the basement of her home and was extremely proud of her political achievements. Margie loved playing bridge with her many friends and often played cribbage with her family. One of her favorite hobbies was traveling the United States and the world. She'd been all over the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, and traveled to many countries/continents like Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and cruised around South America. Most trips were with many very close friends, many of which have predeceased Margie. She also attended many U.W. athletic events over the years with her family and friends. Margie very much enjoyed being a 50-year member of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter A. Margie was visited in the nursing home on an almost daily basis by her good friend, Peg Hiser. She suffered from severe dementia and poor hearing for the last few years of her life, but remained physically healthy to the very end. Another major accomplishment for Margie was obtaining her private pilot's license. She was very proud that her husband, Sam, son, Kurt, and Margie were all licensed pilots. Margie loved her many pets throughout her life, which always included a golden retriever. There were other dogs, cats, badgers, an eagle, hawks, monkeys, a coati mundi, parakeets, and more, but she always loved animals and caring for them. She and Sam always supported the Colorado State University Vet Hospital in any way they could. Margie could be described as kind, loving, caring, patient and an absolute sweetheart, even after the onset of dementia. She was just a good and caring person to the very end. She had a hug for any person that wanted one. Margie would sincerely want to thank the Saratoga Care Center for their very wonderful and loving care of the last three years. The staff there, from cooks to activities directors to CNA's to nurses to administrators, was excellent and loved and treated Margie like family. Margie is survived by her only son, Kurt, and his wife, Chrissie, a granddaughter, Krista (Nate) Young, and four great grandchildren, Trey, Caleb, Rylee and Skylaar. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Dave and Dale Boyer and Jay, Gerald and Beth Boyer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam, her parents, Gerald and Violet Boyer, as well as her brothers, Delbert and Donald Boyer. Services will be held on July 8, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rawlins. Father Sam Hayes will be the celebrant. Pallbearers will be Frank Page, Paul Swanson, John Swanson, Pete Swanson, Scott Erickson, Trey Young, Caleb Young and Jay Boyer. Burial will follow at Rawlins Cemetery. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. The family would certainly suggest Pet Partners of Carbon County, Inc., Box 4000, Rawlins, WY 82301 as a suitable charity. Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, held a very special place in her heart due to their golden retriever cancer research. Donations may be made to Karis Fund, Flint Animal Cancer Center, 300 W. Drake Rd., Acc. 209, Ft., Collins, CO 80523.

Service

Monday, July 8, 2019 1:00pm

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

207 W. Pine

RAWLINS, WY

Interment

Rawlins Cemetery

915 Third St.

RAWLINS, WY