Linda Marie Kelly

Linda Marie Kelly (Skillman), 79, of Phoenix, AZ was born on January 31,1946 in Ainsworth, NE. She graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1964 and attended Chadron State College in Chadron, NE where she earned her Batchelor of Science degree in education. She taught for several years in rural elementary schools in NE, including a one room schoolhouse.

Linda married Randy Grant Kelly in May of 1978 and a few years later they moved to Phoenix, AZ where they had a bookstore named Books and More. Both loved books and reading and Linda always had a book with her and belonged to two book clubs. Randy passed away in November 2015; they had been married for 37 years.

In AZ Linda had experience in banking before being hired by CNA National Warranty in Scottsdale, AZ in February 2010. She worked in the mail room and loved her job and continued working there for fifteen years.

Linda was an avid Phoenix Suns fan and knew all the stats, watched all the televised games and was able to attend several games which she enjoyed very much. She also loved cats, hot air balloons, canasta, action movies (the more action the better), purple and silly sayings, cartoons and jokes.

She was always positive, loved to talk and never met a stranger. She will be greatly missed by all her friends from work, church, the community where she lived and those closest to her. She had a wonderful support group.

Linda passed away peacefully on Saturday night October 4, 2025, at Abrazo Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. Preceded in death are her husband Randy, parents Ralph and Esther Skillman and brother Michael Skillman. Survivors include her brother Steve (Mary) Skillman and sister-in-law Barbara Skillman, both of Denton, NE.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Linda on Sunday October 19, 2025, at Grace Bible Church 19835 N 12th St, Phoenix, AZ 85024 at 11:45 AM in the Multipurpose Room.

Donations may be made to the church in Linda’s honor.