The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Kelli Elaine Lightfoot was born on May 25th, 1984, in Oceanside, California, and grew up in New England. As a child, she lived on a small family farm in rural Massachusetts where she fostered a love for animals, nature, and creativity. Some of her favorite memories were helping her mom raise their sheep, lamb, and goats. In high school, her love for the arts was ignited with help from a very special art teacher. She studied art education at Johnson State College in Vermont and graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Natural Resources. Her love for the outdoors led her to the Gunnison Valley.
In the spirit of pursuing hands-on work with animals, Kelli began working at Oh Be Dogful Pet Ranch in Crested Butte. She established FoxHare Cards & Portraits in 2016 to bring her two great passions together by creating custom pet portraits. Kelli painted hundreds of commissioned pet portraits and many different works of art. A staple at the Crested Butte Farmers Market, Kelli’s artwork and delicious homemade Daisy Pass Pasta were powerful testaments to her entrepreneurial talents.
Kelli fulfilled a great love in this life when she became a mother. She was an incredible mom to two children, Cecelia and Virgill. They shared countless adventures in the great outdoors of the Gunnison Valley and always had a house full of pets, pasta, art, and love.
Kelli’s life was cut short by a rare brain cancer diagnosed last fall. She died on November 19th, 2023. Her spirit and passion were contagious, and live on through her friends, family, and children.
In addition to Cecelia and Virgill, Kelli is survived by her father Deke, brothers, Will, Austin, and Stephen, sisters, Ally and Diana, niece, Emma, nephew, Tom, pups, Arti and Pablo, and her partner, Jeff. She was preceded in death by her mother, Debby, and stepmother, Cathy.
Please join us for a celebration of Kelli’s life on June 30th at the I Bar Ranch. Gates open at 4pm and we’ll gather around the bonfire at 5:30pm to share memories. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to Gunnison Tough (Tough Enough To Wear Pink), Living Journeys, Gunnison Hospice, and Oh Be Dogful Rescue & Sanctuary. Each of these organizations provided crucial support during Kelli’s illness.
We love and miss you, Kelli. Enjoy your adventures with Bari and Rhino.
