Obituary for Patricia Mae 'Patsy' Kelly Barden
Patricia Mae ‘Patsy’ Kelly Barden passed away peacefully following an extended illness on July 6th, 2016, surrounded by her family in Falmouth, England.
Patsy was born on December 30, 1941, in Big Timber, Montana, to Ray Earl and Eleanor Lavold Kelly, where her fondest memories included time spent with her younger brother, Pete, at their grandfather, Stanley Lavold’s ranch on Otter Creek.
Patsy attended schools in Big Timber, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Sloan. Dick enlisted in the Air Force, and their first son, Daniel Richard (Dan) was born in Rantoul, Illinois. Upon Dick’s discharge, the couple returned to Big Timber, where their second son, Scott Charles, was born.
In the early 70’s, Patsy and Dick divorced, which steered Patsy and the boys to Bremerton, Washington, to be closer to her mother. Ever the ambitious one, Patsy fulfilled her goal of a college degree, and worked her way up from the public school system to Social Security Administration, and eventually travelling the western states in an advanced government position.
In time, sunnier skies in Arizona enticed Patsy to desert life, where she finally realized her dream of purchasing an art gallery, and travelling whenever possible.
England, in particular, called her, and this is where Patsy met Stanley Edgar Barden, whom she married in 1988. Patsy and Stan lived between Prescott and England for several years, until finally settling full-time in Cornwall in 1992. Small as a teacup, but larger than life, Patsy was able to live her life’s dreams, including her love of art, her passion for travel and her insatiable thirst for history and her family’s genealogy, which culminated in two published books of her Irish and Norwegian lineage, ‘Connections. A Nation and an Immigrant begin a Journey’ and ‘The Norwegian Connection’ by Patricia Kelly Barden. A handwritten note in her brother’s copy reads, ‘Dearest little brother, Aren’t we lucky to have such ancestors? Strong and plucky, wise and curious. Are they watching us? I feel they are.’
Patsy, we will miss you, but we have no doubt… you are now among those watching over us. Her parents, Ray Kelly and Eleanor Buckland, preceded Patsy in death. Survivors include her loving husband, Stan Barden of Falmouth, England, sons Dan (Beth) of Niobrara, Nebraska and Scott (Donna) of Madison, Nebraska, brother Pete Kelly and long-time partner Sheila Moring of Durango, Colorado, along with nephew, Ty Kelly of Livingston, Montana, half-sister Donna Rae Kelly and aunt Claudeen Kelly Collins of Sacramento, California. Additional survivors include eight grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and Stan’s family in England. A memorial and graveside service will be held in Big Timber, details of which will be published in the Big Timber Pioneer later this summer. Condolences for the family may be made at www.stenbergfuneralhome.com
Patsy was born on December 30, 1941, in Big Timber, Montana, to Ray Earl and Eleanor Lavold Kelly, where her fondest memories included time spent with her younger brother, Pete, at their grandfather, Stanley Lavold’s ranch on Otter Creek.
Patsy attended schools in Big Timber, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Sloan. Dick enlisted in the Air Force, and their first son, Daniel Richard (Dan) was born in Rantoul, Illinois. Upon Dick’s discharge, the couple returned to Big Timber, where their second son, Scott Charles, was born.
In the early 70’s, Patsy and Dick divorced, which steered Patsy and the boys to Bremerton, Washington, to be closer to her mother. Ever the ambitious one, Patsy fulfilled her goal of a college degree, and worked her way up from the public school system to Social Security Administration, and eventually travelling the western states in an advanced government position.
In time, sunnier skies in Arizona enticed Patsy to desert life, where she finally realized her dream of purchasing an art gallery, and travelling whenever possible.
England, in particular, called her, and this is where Patsy met Stanley Edgar Barden, whom she married in 1988. Patsy and Stan lived between Prescott and England for several years, until finally settling full-time in Cornwall in 1992. Small as a teacup, but larger than life, Patsy was able to live her life’s dreams, including her love of art, her passion for travel and her insatiable thirst for history and her family’s genealogy, which culminated in two published books of her Irish and Norwegian lineage, ‘Connections. A Nation and an Immigrant begin a Journey’ and ‘The Norwegian Connection’ by Patricia Kelly Barden. A handwritten note in her brother’s copy reads, ‘Dearest little brother, Aren’t we lucky to have such ancestors? Strong and plucky, wise and curious. Are they watching us? I feel they are.’
Patsy, we will miss you, but we have no doubt… you are now among those watching over us. Her parents, Ray Kelly and Eleanor Buckland, preceded Patsy in death. Survivors include her loving husband, Stan Barden of Falmouth, England, sons Dan (Beth) of Niobrara, Nebraska and Scott (Donna) of Madison, Nebraska, brother Pete Kelly and long-time partner Sheila Moring of Durango, Colorado, along with nephew, Ty Kelly of Livingston, Montana, half-sister Donna Rae Kelly and aunt Claudeen Kelly Collins of Sacramento, California. Additional survivors include eight grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and Stan’s family in England. A memorial and graveside service will be held in Big Timber, details of which will be published in the Big Timber Pioneer later this summer. Condolences for the family may be made at www.stenbergfuneralhome.com
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Events
Event Information
Services will be set for a future date to be determined.
Cemetery Details
Location
Mountain View Cemetery
West of Big Timber
Big Timber, MT 59011
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