Kelley Hotchkiss

Kelley Stuart Smith Hotchkiss passed away peacefully in her home on May 11, 2016, Fifteen months after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And while cancer may have taken her body, cancer did not win. Her family and friends were privileged to witness her strength, courage, and optimism from the moment she was diagnosed and we could not be more proud of the fight she put up.

Kelley was born on March 17, 1957 in Homestead, FL. She was the second child of Robert B. Smith, Jr. and Jacqueline MacFarland. Kelley’s father was in the Air Force and she lived in several parts of the world while she was growing up. In 1976 she graduated from Bellevue Senior High School in Bellevue, Nebraska, and she always considered Nebraska her home.

On May 16, 1980 Kelley married her soul mate, Mark Hotchkiss, in Garden Grove, CA. Together they had one daughter, Ryann. They moved to Utah in 1986 and made a wonderful life together. Recently they built their home to retire to in Farr West.

Kelley was gifted with the ability to design gorgeous floral arrangements. She loved to create and inspire. Throughout the years she shared her talents with several different flower shops in the area, including All Seasons Floral and Jimmy’s Flower Shop. For several years she owned her own home based business, Forget-Me-Not Floral. Her ability to decorate a home went unmatched. Christmas was her favorite time of year and her Christmas trees were one of the highlights of the season for her family.

Kelley believed with all her heart that Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior and never hesitated to share this with those she knew. Her family and friends know they will be reunited with her one day.

Kelley is survived by her husband, Mark of Farr West; daughter, Ryann (Jeff) Albritton of North Ogden; sister, Shannon Stuart-Smith (Julia Fain) of Lexington, KY; sister, Brooke (Michael DuBose) Smith of North Ogden; and brother, Scott Smith of Port St. Lucie, FL. She was a proud aunt to Adam, Rylee and Dalton Smith; Andrew and Rachel DuBose; and an amazing great-aunt to Addison DuBose. Her absolute pride and joy was her grandson, Benjamin, whom she shared an amazing bond with. He was her world and she was his. She was preceded in death by her loving maternal grandparents, Jean and Jack MacFarland; paternal grandparents, Robert Browning, Sr. and Jerene Smith; father, Robert B. Smith, Jr.; mother, Jacqueline MacFarland Smith; sister-in-law, Julia Fain; sister-in-law, Lisa Hotchkiss; and mother-in-law, Cleo Draper.

Special thank you to Dr. Harold Johnson and his amazing team for treating Kelley with such patience and kindness. Thank you to her longtime friend, Kathy Walsh, for praying with Kelley and reading God’s Word with her during her battle.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the ASPCA in Kelley’s name.

Mom, we love you so much and will never forget you!

Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden.