In Loving Memory of Sandra L. Kelly

Sandra L (Runser) Kelly, age 74, passed away on Nov 21, 2019 in Colorado Springs.  She was born in 1944 in Portsmouth, NH, to Clarence and Lyli Runser, and was the 8^th of 11 children.     She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Kelly of Colorado Springs; two sons, Brian Kelly of Colorado Springs, and John and his wife Cindy, of Divide, CO.  She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, Destiny Kelly of Cripple Creek, CO and Ryan Kelly of Oklahoma.    In addition, she is survived by 4 sisters,  Denice Jutras of Eliot, ME, Audrey Rivais of Rochester, NY,  Diana  Pelchat and her husband, Herve  of  Columbia, SC,  and Cheryl Damon of Longmont, CO;   21 nieces and nephews,  26 great nieces and nephews, and 9 great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by both parents, Clarence and Lyli Runser, one brother, Bernard Runser, 5 sisters, Claire Runser, Kay Runser, Jeanne Pease, June Jacobs, and Linda LeClair, and 2 nieces.

Sandy lived in Portsmouth, NH and graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1962.  In 1964, she married Robert Kelly who she later divorced.   After her marriage, she and her husband moved to New Jersey where her 3 children were born.   She moved to Colorado Springs with her family in 1979, attended Pikes Peak Community College, and worked for 35 years for Deluxe Checks (previously Current) in Colorado Springs.  

Sandy was a very generous person and wanted to help anyone she met.  She enjoyed traveling and visiting a wide variety of attractions related to history, science, and nature, as well as unique attractions of any kind. One example of this was stopping to see the world’s largest ball of string.  She was a fantastic cook and enjoyed doing a variety of different crafts, was always willing to try new kinds of food, and enjoyed learning unusual facts which she could inform others about when least expected.   She could tell a story with the best of them and loved making people laugh with her stories.

Sandy had a penchant for cleaning and there is no doubt that she took her vacuum cleaner and dust rags with her, and is busy now, tidying up her heavenly home.  She enjoyed taking her time and enjoying every detail of every trip she took, so she might not have reached Heaven’s gate yet.  But, Lord, be patient, she will be there soon, it’s just there are a few things she has to look at first!

Though she is greatly missed by her family and friends, she is and always will be well-remembered with love and appreciation of her wonderfully unique personality and ability to maintain her great sense of humor even in very difficult circumstances.

The family would like to express thanks for the excellent care she received from Pikes Peak Hospice of Colorado Springs located at 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.  In lieu of flowers, the family would like Memorial Funds to be directed to this organization. http://www.pikespeakhospice.org/