On April 21, 2024 the world lost some of it’s sparkle when Kelly (Church) Schimelfenig passed away surrounded by family after a short battle with an unexpected illness. However, the day we are born and the day we pass tell so little about the person we are, and the impact we’ve had on the lives around us.

Born in the middle of a large and boisterous family, Kelly learned from an early age how to hold her own and started her life as a strong and independent woman before she ever left home. Graduating at the top of her class from Toutle Lake High School in 1983, she took the first step towards her lifelong career of bringing order to the chaos of increasingly important positions. Moving to a bigger city to get training in administrative skills, she excelled immediately and consistently rose through the ranks of her field. She loved her work, the fulfillment it brought her and the many friends she made throughout her journey.

Kelly’s greatest delight was her three daughters: Ashley, Aimee and Morgan. The pride she felt as each of them grew into independent, accomplished young women was only increased by the joy brought with the addition of 5 grandsons: Keenan, Patrick, Chandler, Charlie and Henry. Even though they eventually scattered across the state as they grew up, it was a priority for Kelly to visit each of them as often as she could - loving those boys, creating memories with them, and having all of them to her house for family gatherings whenever possible.

Kelly made sure to give back to her community. Many hours were spent volunteering for the Tumwater Education Foundation and Northwest Harvest. For several years she encouraged her family and friends to join her on a Relay for Life team, raising funds for local cancer charities.

Kelly was loud and opinionated (like most of the women in her family) but also the most private person you would ever meet. She was the most loyal, selfless person and she would go to great lengths to make sure everyone was taken care of before herself.

Kelly's smile was infectious. She was the life of every party, always the first one on the dance floor and dragging everyone out there with her for a good time. She looked forward to Reno trips with her siblings, vacations to the beach in Mexico or Seaside, OR and placing bets at the Emerald Downs horseraces. When the sun was out, even if you didn’t think it was warm enough, you could catch Kelly outside sunbathing in her lounge chair reading a book. And in the rarity that Kelly allowed herself down time, she would snuggle up on the couch to watch HGTV and Hallmark movies, or piece together another puzzle.

Kelly thrived on hospitality. Everyone knew her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving, hosting as many people as she could. Nobody could resist her delicious peanut butter pie! She took great pleasure in organizing large potluck gatherings for as many work functions as she could talk her bosses into. She was an adventurous cook (except when it came to anything spicy) and took every opportunity to try new recipes from her favorite cooking shows. She preferred a homecooked meal, but she also enjoyed dinners out with her friends, especially at Japanese Steakhouse. She didn’t have a sweet tooth, but she never passed up spiced gum drops candy or saltwater taffy.

Every football season, Kelly’s house was the go to spot for many to cheer on her favorite sports team, the Seattle Seahawks. She had a gameday ritual of capturing her Seahawks snow people with different props before kickoff. Win or lose, Kelly was their number 1 fan—you could tell by her clothes, her décor, and her nail polish!

Kelly left us all too soon but we know she is with her beloved cat Animal. She will live on with every family gathering, in each of her children and grandsons as they grow older, in every Seahawks game we watch and in the memories of all of us who love her so very much.

Kelly is survived by her mother Patricia (Gourde) Holm of Olympia, WA and father Les Church of Castle Rock, WA. Her daughters Ashley (Andrew) Martinez, Aimee (Jackson) Pennell and Morgan Schimelfenig. Her grandsons Keenan, Patrick, Chandler Martinez and Charlie, Henry Pennell. Her siblings Kimberly (Russ) Johnson, Lisa (Dave) Seavey, Cathy (Mike) Ferguson, Darrin (Cathy) Church, Shanna (Brandon) Schultz. Along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

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