Leavenworth ski community honors Barb Kelly

On Friday, Jan. 6, the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (LWSC) held a Full Moon ski event in honor of Barb Kelly, who died on Dec. 29.

According to a release by LWSC, Kelly began alpine skiing at the age of 10 in Minnesota where she grew up, and soon after took up alpine skiing.

She attended the University of Montana and Montana State University, where she became a part of the skiing community. She moved to Leavenworth to work as a fisheries biologist, where she joined the LWSC. Her office was right next to Icicle River Trails, where she could often be seen skiing on her lunch break.

After having her two children, she became involved with the LWSC Jr. Nordic Program and coached for 16 years, including last winter while undergoing cancer treatment.

On Dec. 29, following a 1.5 year struggle with brain cancer, she passed away peacefully in her sleep with her children by her side.