Shirlee Kelley Doughty

An avid opera, symphony and theater fan, Shirlee also enjoyed hiking and bicycle riding into her 70s, taking all six grandchildren to Europe on separate trips, traveling to other places around the globe and remaining steadfast to her Christian faith.

The longtime Colorado Springs resident was born as Shirlee Hostetler in 1936 in Sublette, Kan. She was the fourth of five children; a younger brother died as a baby during the Dust Bowl.

She attended high school in Dodge City, Kan., where she lived with her oldest sister. Shirlee was educated in administrative assisting and for a time worked in the Kansas Governor’s Office.

She met her future husband, Arlo Kelley, in Dodge City, and they moved to Colorado Springs and had three children. They were married for 41 years before Arlo died in 1995. The couple’s youngest child, Todd, died of lymphoma just shy of his ninth birthday.

Her adult children, Kimberly and Robert, remember Shirlee as a good mother who nurtured their Christian faith, emphasized education and enjoyed family trips.

Over her life, Shirlee worked as a secretary, a travel agent, in the counseling department at Focus on the Family and as a receptionist at her church, First Presbyterian. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Colorado Springs.

Shirlee’s strong faith was the guiding light throughout her life, carrying her through tough times and in gratitude for the good times.

After being single for 20 years, she met David Doughty at church, where they were in the same Sunday school class and both served as deacons.

The two experienced an immediate attraction that they described as “a perfect fit” and quickly fell in love. After a short courtship, they wed in 2015.

Shirlee and David were happily married for 11 years and enjoyed their days together in sickness and in health.

Survivors include husband David Doughty; daughter Kim (Barry) Kuck; son Robert (Debbie) Kelley, six grandchildren: Tyra Ware, Jesse Kuck, Lindsay Chung and Katelyn Kuck, and Nathaniel and Grady Kelley; and seven great-grandchildren.

Shirlee’s parents, two sisters, Irene and Chris, and a brother, Robert, predeceased her.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. on Sept. 22 at First Presbyterian Church, 219 E Bijou St., in Colorado Springs. A reception at the church will follow.