Kathleen Hadley McKell

Kathee grew up in Plain City, Utah and was a hard worker from the beginning. Whether she was farming asparagus or playing softball she put her whole heart into what she did. She worked for over 40 years at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center as a physical therapist aide. She was always one of the first people to work and rarely took a day off. She was an avid sports fan and held season tickets to The University of Utah football and basketball seasons. She loved a good parade and wasn't afraid to cheer loudly. A cheerleader at Utah State in college was a perfect fit. She was her grandchildren’s biggest fan, always attending every event. 

Kathee married C.J McKell August 9, 1963, in Plain City, Utah, they were sealed in the LDS temple on December 16, 1964. They started their married life together in Canyon Rim, Utah where they welcomed two children, Karie and Steven. They later moved to Cottonwood Heights where they spent the majority of their life.

Kathee was an active member of the Butler 12th ward where she developed lifelong friendships. She was a generous and thoughtful friend. She was a risk taker who enjoyed all life had to offer. She bungee jumped and never backed down from a good roller coaster ride. She traveled as often as she could whether it was taking her son to a baseball game in California or visiting her daughter in Ohio. She always made her family a priority. Her Spicy red hair and loud whistle will be missed by countless people. 

Kathee could not bear to be without the love of her life any longer and almost to the minute passed peacefully seven months after C.J. We are sure their heavenly reunion was nothing short of miraculous. 

She is survived by her daughter, Karie (Paul) Gallegos; her son, Steven (Autumn) McKell; her grandchildren, Tabitha Gallegos, Jamie (Curtis) Reed, Kory (Steve) Hamilton, Baylee (Abel) Portillo, Ashlee (Kolby) Johnson, and Zack McKell; her brother, Gordon (Janet) Hadley; her sister, Elizabeth (Val) Taylor; and her 9 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clair Johnson McKell; and her parents, Durland and Evelyn (Knight) Hadley.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Covington Senior Living of Farmington, Utah for the love and care they provided for Kathee over the last seven months, as well as Jodi and Mariam of Symbii Hospice.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the Plain City Cemetery, 4373 West 1975 North, Plain City, Utah 84404.

Viewings will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2023, and Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse, Utah 84075.

Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com.