Kellie Lynn Carey

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” II Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV

Kellie often referred to doctor and author Atul Gawande, who stated that, "there is an art to living, and an art to dying". Those who knew Kellie appreciate that she absolutely lived life to the fullest. In her final year, she devoted herself to the art of dying, "finishing well.”

Kellie’s first transformational experience in life was as a teenager when she went through Outward Bound. She learned that she could do and survive anything. That week in the mountains gave her the confidence to pursue life with enthusiasm and without limits. Throughout her life, she traveled to various countries and experienced a world which few people encounter. This global traveler sought out the best life had to offer. She lived in many wonderful places, including Aspen, Manhattan, Aventura and finally Scottsdale. She sought to make personal connections as she traveled on her life's journey.

Kellie often talked about her dear friend Annette, who proceeded Kellie in death after her own cancer fight. Kellie shared how Annette was welcomed into Heaven by Jesus, saying, “Its beauty is beyond description”. Through God’s grace, Annette was Kellie’s window into what awaited her. This past Saturday morning, July 3, 2021, Kellie joined Annette, Allen Carey, her father, Ana Faber, her cousin, and many beloved family members and friends in Glory.

Kellie faced her shortened life with bravery and little complaint for the suffering she experienced in her 11 year battle against lung cancer. She remained engaged and fought her illness with all the tools available to her, including participating in successful medical trials and cutting-edge treatments. She tirelessly sought to encourage others along the way, and faced challenges with incredible courage.

Over the past two years, in particular, her faith grew stronger, as God demonstrated with simple and absolute certainty that He was with her. In her final weeks, she was looking forward to seeing Him and experiencing the peace and completeness of perfect love. Kellie often said, "I am exactly where I am supposed to be.” Indeed, on July 3, she finished well and reached her final destination - home with Jesus.

Kellie Lynn Carey was born on October 15, 1967, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She graduated from the Colorado Springs Christian School in 1986. She attended Westmont College and the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she earned her B.A. in International Relations. Kellie is survived by her sister, Kendra Carey, of Arlington, Virginia; her mother, Connie Carey, of Sun City, Arizona; her nephew, Bryan Trost, of Berthoud, Colorado; and pre-deceased by her father, Allen Carey, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is also survived by her aunt Ruth Marie Faber and uncle Wayne Faber, cousin Jay Faber, cousin Heidi Faber Nordstrom (Per); uncle Ed Peterson (Bettye), cousin Sonja Grafton (Jeffrey), Bryan Peterson and Carl Peterson. She is survived by cousins from her father’s deceased brother, Lou Lanham: Craig Lanham (Susan), Lisa Daniels (Darrell), Tim Lanham (Wendy), Jeff Lanham (Brenda), and many beloved second cousins, aunts, and extended family members in the United States, Sweden and Norway.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 1pm, followed by a reception with lite fare, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, Arizona, 85253. For those who are unable to attend in person, see Livestream link below.

Kellie requested that in lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital in support of ALK+ lung cancer research, in her memory. Gifts can be made online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/ or mailed to the MGH Development Office, Attention: Keith Erickson, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. For checks payable to Massachusetts General Hospital: Please include “Targeting a Cure for Lung Cancer Fund, in honor of Kellie Carey" on the memo line.

To join the Livestream on the day of services please click the following link.

https://vimeo.com/571857850/8c7395860f