Christine Kelly

Fighting gracefully for more than five years, Christine Kelly, our beloved sister, aunt, cousin and friend, succumbed to cancer on November 18, 2021. Her parents, Joe P and Kathrine Larsen Kelly, who preceded her in death, undoubtedly welcomed her into their loving arms.

Christine was born March 7, 1954, in Pocatello, Idaho. The youngest of six girls, she cherished the lifelong bonds only sisters can understand. She grew up in Pocatello, Idaho; Reno, Nevada; Brigham City, Utah; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Christine graduated from Highland High School in 1972 and enrolled at Brigham Young University, where she earned her associate degree in child development and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Later in life, she completed a master’s degree in elementary curriculum from BYU and an additional master’s degree in administration from Utah State University. Christine enjoyed a career teaching for 30 years in the Alpine School District at Grovecrest Elementary, Sharon Elementary, and as an IT specialist at the district office. She was a gifted teacher and positively shaped the lives of her beloved students.

In addition to her students, Christine relished her relationships with the animals in her life. She enjoyed her dogs and spent many memorable years with her golden Labrador Sasha and most recently with her shih tzu Sammie.

Music was also central to Christine’s life. She enjoyed playing the piano, collecting sheet music and albums, and listening to a variety of music, particularly show tunes. As an adult, she picked up singing lessons and practiced diligently to improve this talent. When visiting London in the early 1980s, Christine and her sister, Janet, discovered a new musical based on a beloved book: Les Miserables. They bought the cassette tapes and eagerly shared them with their family. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for musicals, including annual season passes to theaters in her area. She was a regular at Hale Centre Theater, where she attended this year’s showing of Les Miserables in one of her last visits.

Christine had a love for adventure and traveled many times to Europe, including England and France. She also enjoyed visits to the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Mexico, and even ventured to Antarctica! She especially loved to visit the Disney theme parks. We will always remember Christine’s brilliant smile, grinning ear-to-ear, hands high in the air, as she took the plunge down Splash Mountain.

Christine’s life was filled with service and a devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She spent many years as a temple worker at the Provo Utah and the Jordan River temples in addition to many other church callings. As a skilled quilter, Christine was happy to share her talents with the community. She machine embroidered more than 450 handkerchiefs for the Jordan River Temple rededication. She made more than 50 quilts for orphanages in Mexico as well as personal quilts for family and friends, especially those who were experiencing difficult times. Family history was important to Christine and she spent countless hours categorizing family movies, scanning pictures, and verifying family tree records. Generations will be blessed for her time and effort documenting her family lines.

Christine is survived by her sisters Patricia Huff (Duane), Jolynn Christiansen (Gene), Ruth Christensen (Jan, deceased), Kathrine Perry, and Janet Kelly. Though Christine never married, she had the love of 34 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews. She supported them at church baptisms, missionary farewells and homecomings, marriages, and gladly attended to their everyday needs. Her kind, loving influence truly blessed their lives. Her love of God showcased in her love for her family and friends. We will miss the light she brought into all of our lives.

Funeral services will be held at River Ridge 2nd LDS chapel at 10168 S. 1100 W. South Jordan, at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. A one-hour viewing will be at the same location prior to the funeral beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Her burial will at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery at 3115 E. 7800 S. (Bengal Blvd), Cottonwood Heights following a luncheon for family members.

In lieu of flowers please donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary fund or humanitarian aid.