Kelly Candelaria Obituary

Kelly Jean Candelaria, the sister of Durango resident Linda Burns, died of vascular thyroid cancer at her home in Dolores on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. She was 52.

Mrs. Candelaria was born to Willard Allen and Nina Lee (Cook) Bishop in Cortez on Oct. 1, 1956. She grew up in Cortez and graduated from Cortez High School.

On Nov. 8, 1992, she married James Stephen Candelaria in Denver. Her husband said she provided wonderful ideas for his construction business and was an inspiration.

"Kelly loved time spent outdoors, most especially at their Groundhog cabin in the spring," her family wrote. "She was an avid Broncos fan and loved attending the games. Kelly loved her family deeply and time spent with them brought her much joy."

Mrs. Candelaria is survived by her husband of almost 17 years, Jim Candelaria, of Dolores; daughters Amy Harris of Lewis and Jacqueline Candelaria of Denver; sons Denton Murphy of Yellow Jacket and Stephen Candelaria of Dolores; sisters Linda Burns of Durango, Ronda Lancaster of Pleasant View and Barbara Mellott of Kenai, Alaska; brother, Bruce Bishop, of Etna, Calif.; and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at the Cortez Church of Christ, 631 E. Montezuma Ave. Burial will take place at the Lebanon Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society of Southwest Colorado, 1800 East Third Ave., Suite 101, Durango, CO 81301; or the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association, c/o ThyCa Donation, P.O. Box 2327, Allen, TX 75013.

Online condolences may be sent at www.ertelfuneralhome.

com.