Kelsey McLean Obituary

Kelsey Christine McLean, 23, died in a car collision outside of Big Sky, Montana on August 17, 2015. She was en route to start grad school at Gonzaga University.

Kelsey was born on July 8, 1992 in Denver, CO, to Cindy and Alex McLean. She grew up in Durango, CO and attended Needham Elementary, Miller Middle School and Durango High School. During her time at DHS, she was actively involved in Student Council, Newspaper, Peer Helpers and Varsity Girls Soccer.

Kelsey attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA and received her BA in Environmental Studies in 2014. She would have received her Masters in Elementary Education from Gonzaga University in 2016, as she was continuing her education to become an elementary school teacher. At Gonzaga, Kelsey was an active member of the student body. She was involved with the Setons of Gonzaga, Gonzaga Outdoors, Girls Club Soccer and several study abroad programs.

Kelsey's passion for children was rooted in her time spent working at Sonlight Christian Camp in Pagosa Springs, CO, where she was a camper growing up. She volunteered and worked at camp during her college summers as first a Counselor and then Program Leader. Kelsey planned to teach 3rd or 4th grade and had plans for a Dr. Seuss corner in her classroom.

Kelsey's child-like view on life attracted many people to her. Her belief was this: "Life is a series of little moments, decisions, feelings, and people, and people are at the heart of it all. People and love, this is what makes the world tick." Her impact on people can be seen by the outpouring of love her family has received, and the postings about her on social media. She cared deeply and passionately about people and took time to invest in them selflessly.

Kelsey loved the outdoors: camping with friends, hiking and cycling. She shared a strong passion for skiing with her father and sisters.

Kelsey experienced a great deal of challenge in her last few years of life. In March, she sent out a letter to all her dearest friends and family expressing her thoughts on life and the gratitude she had for the people who loved her through her hard years. The following came from this letter:

"There was one year in my life where my mom passed away from cancer in April, my grandma died in September, I tore my ACL in November, and then I proceeded to get diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in March. It was one hell of a year. There was also one year in my life where I got to spend everyday with my family for a couple months, I worked the best job of my life at Sonlight Christian Camp, built a community at school, and graduated college. This "year" was one in the same."

Kelsey's ability to overcome adversity with positivity and strength leaves us all in awe.

Kelsey took last year off from school between her undergraduate and graduate programs and packed that year full of travel and adventure. She traveled to Thailand for several weeks and to South America for seven with some of her best friends. This winter she lived in Park City, UT with her sister, Katie McLean, where she worked as a ski instructor, substitute elementary school teacher and after school care provider. She backpacked Coyote Gulch, skied Silverton Mountain, accomplished her first bike tour in the San Juan Islands and rode in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in honor of her late mother, Cindy McLean. She finished up her year off living this summer in Crested Butte, CO with her father and little sister, Ellie McLean, while enjoying the company of forty plus friends and family whom visited there.

She lived with abundance, spunk and joy.

Kelsey is survived by her father, Alex McLean, and sisters, Katie and Ellie McLean, of Durango; grandfathers Thomas Jenkins and Donald McLean of Denver; uncles Jeff Jenkins, Richard Jenkins, Martin Jenkins and Eric McLean of Denver; and several cousins of Denver.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Cindy McLean, and grandmothers, Hildrud Jenkins and Anna Estella McLean.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2015, at Purgatory (Durango Mountain Resort) on the lawn of Purgy's. Colorful and lively attire is encouraged, and children are welcome. Winston Marugg, Executive Director of Sonlight Christian Camp, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers and meals, donations can be made in Kelsey McLean's honor to Sonlight Christian Camp, PO Box 536, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, or online at sonlightcamp.org/donate/.