Kerry Lee McCollum
May 15, 1956 - November 11, 2015
Obituary
Kerry Keaton McCollum, our Sugar, our Momma, our Nummy, our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, grandma, and friend, who, like her favorite James Taylor song, “showered the people she loved with love,” passed away from complications of pneumonia on November 11, 2015 at the age of 59. Kerry’s spirit is carried on through her parents, five siblings, son, grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and extended family and friends from all walks of life.
Kerry Lee Keaton was born in Upland, CA on May 15, 1956, the fifth of six children, and the older twin of Terry. Kerry grew up in Riverside, CA, graduating from RamonaHigh School in 1974. Kerry lived and worked for many years in the Riverside area, where she formed many of the friendships that continued throughout her life. Kerry and her first husband lived for short time in Germany, where her son was born. Upon her return to Riverside, Kerry earned a certificate in Cosmetology from RiversideCityCollege. In addition to styling hair, where her favorite customers were her grandfather, dad, and her mother’s friends, Kerry worked in customer service, including more than 20 years with Southwest Airlines, where she touched the lives of those she worked with and for with her smile, humor, and warmth. She had a great capacity for love and anyone who knew her loved her company.
Kerry married the love of her life, Mark, in 1987. The pair shared a sweet, beautiful love and friendship, and always referred to each other “Baby Doll” and “Sugar.” Kerry and Mark relocated to Seattle in 2009 with Kerry’s job at Southwest, so she could be closer to her son’s family and her twin’s family. Almost immediately, Kerry became a devoted “12th Man” of the Seattle Seahawks, showering friends and family with hats, scarves, and gear for Blue Fridays and game days. She also loved country music and enjoyed attending concerts where she could dance and sing her heart out.
Diagnosed with brain cancer in September, Kerry endured and emerged from two brain surgeries with bravery and spunk. Kerry had a way of walking into your life and never leaving, and her family and friends came together to support her and each other with news of her diagnosis. Her family was with her when she passed, there with the love and music that spoke to who she was.
Kerry is survived by her husband and partner of 34 years Mark McCollum; son Jason “Jake” Porter; grandchildren Ireland and Jackson; parents Robert and Cathryn Keaton; siblings and siblings-in-law Mary Evelyn and Tom O’Brien; Rob and Judy Keaton; Vick and Jan Keaton; Katie and John Theodos; and Terry and Craig McCollum; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, and her brown lab, Chase, in whose hearts she is cherished. Her family is thankful for her many friends from Southern California to Seattle.
There will be a Celebration of Life on December 4, 2015 at 1:00 pm in Apple Valley, CA. The celebration will be held at a private residence, 15617 Mondamon Rd., Apple Valley, CA. Friends and family, please join us as we honor and remember our Kerry, who filled our lives and hearts in big ways (and wear blue – it’s a Friday, after all). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Autism Speaks, a charity close to Kerry’s heart.
My love is with her family so supportive and giving. I miss you Kerry my special friend.
Kerry was my friend in High School as Cheer Leaders. We were Varsity with the Ramona Rams. We were the “bad girls” who smoked and hid in the bathrooms during half time. This girl was so kind and treated everyone with respect and love. I will miss her dearly. We had just reconnected recently and found that my sons and her parents both lived in Apple Valley. I wish we could have met like we had planned there. Love you Kerry!
I don’t want to believe you are gone. I still wait for you to show up on my door step so we can go get coffee. I hope Heaven has a Starbucks and a 7-Eleven with Diet Coke in styrofoam cups for you.
We celebrate Kerry’s life with family and friends. We grieve her passing and know a bright star burned out way too soon. We share Kerry’s love of everyone, and all things…this was her gift to all. Love, Bill and Mair!
It was a pleasure to have known and worked with such a Beautiful Light. Gone But Never Forgotten… All My Love,
Shea
Love and miss you my sweet cousin
My memories of Kerry grow from our high school days. I remember her as a cheerful, friendly gal who was inclusive of those of us less outgoing than she was. And her open and sweet smile The last time I saw Kerry was at our 40th high school reunion in September, 2014. She walked up to me with open arms and her loving smile. We hugged and talked as if no time had passed since our school days. Rest in peace Kerry.
She was always smiling and happy. True joy to be around,so energetic …Her smile was so contagious…Heaven gained sn angel. Sending prayers to all her family. Carla Walsh
A beautifully written testament to Aunt Kerry’s life. We miss her and will cherish her in our hearts forever. She was a treasure to us all.
Still can’t believe she’s gone. Such beautiful words for a beautiful lady. You will forever be missed and always in our hearts.
Our lives changed for the better… Always acquaintances that would meet in the halls at Sierra Jr. High and at Ramona High. We would yell at each other that our time of becoming good friends was just around the corner, as we would giggle and head off to our classes. Always happy for each other as we achieved our goals or just something that we made that would put a smile upon our faces and laugh. She made everyone smile… just knowing her did that. I am thankful that this last 2 and 1/2 years has been filled with telephone conversations, helping me in finding classmates for our 40th class reunion, gatherings at Sue Oren Boyd’s and our visit to her beautiful home in Renton, WA, where we spent the day just knowing that we had become the friends that we had always wanted to be back in the day of just seeing each other in the halls. Life had taken us in different directions but the truth is, All of our lives are better because of Kerry. I miss her so much… All of us do.
I will always remember Kerry as being full of life. It is difficult to believe that she did not live to be at least 100. She had so much energy and so many natural talents. She was popular and beautiful with a glowing aura around her. I know that she will be dearly missed. Sending peaceful thoughts to Terry and the rest of the family.
With good thoughts and memories!
John Muratet
Mark, I am so sorry for your loss and please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I met Kerry in the 7th grade at Sierra Jr. Hi. I remember sitting by her in class and giggling. She came to my first “real” birthday party when I turned 13. I had never really had a birthday party so I asked for hats and horns… And when my friends arrived, I think they were expecting music and dancing around the room. I felt ridiculous when I realized, but Kerry was so sweet, kept a smile on her face. She always had that smile on her face. Greeted everybody. We were neighbors when our kids were in school too. Sadly, I lost touch with her when I moved away from Cali. She is loved by so many. And so many of us have special memories of her. We will all be back together some day….greeted by her beautiful smile. Thoughts and prayers to Jake, the kids, Terry and the rest of her family.
I met Kerry when I married my deceased husband Richard McKibben. They were the best of friends while in school and the friendship carried on after school. We used go and visit Kerry when she lived with her parents and had so much fun. Even though we didn’t see a lot of each other, whenever we ran into each other it was like we spoke yesterday. When Richard got sick she came and visited him and I and when he passed she still came to visit me. She had a big heart and I will miss her. Rest in peace Kerry.
Mark, I am so sorry to hear this…I remember Kerry from Don Jose when we worked together…she was always a joy…my prayers are with you during this hard time…Praying you will feel the peace and comfort only Jesus can give…Love to your whole family….Bobi
I never felt like I knew Kerry well but she always greeted me as if we were best friends. She was that type of person and always smiling. What a loss. Thoughts and prayers for the family and friends.
Years come and go and before you know it forty years have slipped away. Thankfully, our memories are not held captive by time. For me, Kerry will forever be that girl with enthusiasm for life, full of energy and love for friends. If you had her friendship, you held a treasure. Goodbye sweet Kerry, you will be deeply missed.
Dear Mark,
I am so very sorry that you have lost your beloved wife, Kerry. There are no words that will heal your heart right now. And I wish you peace through grieving, and eventual joy as you remember the wonderful times you shared throughout you long and loving relationship. My thoughts and prayers to you and all who loved her.
To Kerry’s Family. It still doesn’t seem real that she is gone. She was special to everyone that knew her. My love and prayers go out to her family. Love Vicki
My confidant, concert buddy, travel buddy and the sweetest person I’ve known is gone but you are not forgotten EVER. BFF
I met Kerry thru the Pharmacy in Riverside I worked at. Discovered she went to school with my sister and had lived on Cover St. as I had in the past. She was such a sweet person. RIP Kerry
Jake & Family,
I was not able to finish my first post,
But I will see you in Apple Valley and visit with you and your family.
Ramona Nation lost another Star here on Earth, but now she is a Universal Star in Heaven.
Stay Strong and Keep the Faith,
John
I had only spoken to Kerry a few times over the years, but whenever I did, I noticed a whole lot of energy, happiness, and interest in life. I’m sorry for everyone’s loss. She was so important to so many people.
Although Kerry was my cousin, she was the sister I never had. As I have heard said by many, when you saw her, it was like no time had never passed. We just took up where we left off last. I will miss her deeply. I admire the love and loyalty of the Keaton family and feel their pain.
I will never forget you, Kewwie. You helped make my late 30’s and early 40’s some of the best years of my life. I will miss you, girlfriend. Today there are tears, but when I see you again we’ll have lots of laughs, and pick up where we left off. XOXOXO The Cohnhead.
I will always remember my Baby Girl Kerry! You will be truly missed by so many. The memories I have will forever be in my heart. I wish I could be there Dec 4. I will be thinking of you all day today. Until we meet again Baby girl! I love you!
Big hugs and kisses to Marky and family.
I don’t know how I could not have known about Kerry’s passing until now. I’m deeply saddened but also gratified that she asked me to prayer with and for her at the last reunion we attended. Gone to soon. Thank you Ker for touching my life