KELLY BACKSTROM 1968 - 1985 RESERVATIONS AGENT, SENIOR RESERVATIONS AGENT PHX DEN We have been looking for Kelly Backstrom, a former Res Agent in Denver, for some time but have been unable to locate her and Kathey Petty did some research and found that Kelly has passed away….march 2, 2020. We have been looking for an obituary—not able to locate and I have tried twice to call her sister at the below phone number—no response… I had to leave messages…and I tracked down who I think may be an uncle and a cousin—both phone number not working…so this is all we have. It says she was a stew…but knowing Kelly we don’t believe that she was. I may try to locate the Raines Global Travel to see if they can or will provide any information. I don’t think I have any pictures of her during her Res time but I am going thru pictures and might likely find something. -Carolyn Boller (2/26/21) Kelly Backstrom was born Kelda Ann Backstrom, on 04/30/1945, in Salem, OR, to Julia and Arnold Backstrom. She attended St Mary of the Valley School, in Beaverton, OR. Her pictures in the yearbooks, look just like her. Kelly Backstrom’s start date with Frontier Airlines was 01/29/68. A listing in the 1972 Aurora City Directory, shows her name as Kelly Backstrom and her occupation as stewardess. Kelly had a great sense of humor. A listing in the 1979 Aurora City Directory, shows her address as Aurora, CO, and her occupation as Frontier Airlines, Res. It appears that when she was in Denver, she used Kelly and when in Oregon she used Kelda. I am not sure what year she left Frontier or Denver, but the next thing I found was a listing in the 1988 Salem, OR City Directory showing Kelda 1988, bookkeeper at Raines Global Travel. The last note I found was from Death Notices, dailyastorian.com: “Backstrom, Kelda Ann 74, of Astoria, died in Tigard (OR). Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, of Astoria is in charge of the arrangements.” -Kathey Petty (2/26/21) Thanks, let me know if you find out more. Nice piece of research, Kathey. Thank you. Any photos of her? -Jake Lamkins (2/26/21) K A BACKSTROM Emp# 00749, PHXRK Sr reservations agent DOB 4/30/45 DOH 1/29/68 Per the Dec 1970 employees roster. -------------------------- K A BACKSTROM Emp# 00749, DENRK Per the Nov 1984 employees roster. -------------------------- K A BACKSTROM Emp# 00749 Reservations agent seniority date of 1/29/68 Per the Jul 1984 FL/ALEA Seniority List -------------------------- Her name is whited out on the Jul 1985 reservations seniority list. She is not on the Jan 1986 seniority list. Looks like she left the company in the Spring of 1985. -------------------------- BACKSTROM, Kelda Ann, 74, of Astoria, died in Tigard. Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary of Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. https://www.dailyastorian.com/obituaries/death_notices/deaths-march-5-2020/article_1815453a-5d87-11ea-b1c6-67e6481c6858.html -Jake Lamkins (2/26/21) Kelly’s sister Christine called me this morning. Kelly had moved from Salem, Oregon to Astoria to be closer to family. In 2016 Kelly had a stroke which affected her left side of her body---she lived in her home for a while, then with her sister and into a nursing home and in 2020 requested to be moved into hospice. Where she passed away. Christine is going to email me an obit and a picture—probably of Kelly’s younger days… since Kelly didn’t like to have her picture taken. I will forward when it arrives. -Carolyn Boller (2/27/21) I got this today from Kelly’s niece….Jake—I hope you can print off the pictures… I think we use the one with the birthday cake and the FAL res folks.. I am not sure who the blonde is behind Diane Olesky, but Diane is the brunette long hair, then Joanne Koenig, Kelly (pink shirt), Joan Podsednik (?) I think---help Kathey/Trish. I thought perhaps the blonde was Dixie Blaylock at first glance but I don’t think so. -Carolyn Boller (2/28/21) Obituary sent by niece. Kelda Ann Backstrom April 30, 1945 – March 2, 2020 Kelly was born in Portland, Oregon on April 30, 1945 to Arnold Backstrom and Julia Mae Paxon. Its fitting that her name is of Scandinavian origin and means “Spring.” Her favorite flowers were tulips blooming in the Spring and her fondest wish was to celebrate her birthday in Paris, France and being Kelly, that wish came true! Even as a child, Kelly was a “take charge kind of gal.” She enjoyed a successful work life, always excelling at whatever she chose to do. She always spoke affectionately of her friends at Frontier Airlines. Kelly moved to the North Coast of Oregon, to be closer to family. Were we enjoyed lots of good food, sing-alongs and visits to the beach. Watching the cargo ships, sailboats and fishing vessels on the Columbia River become a favorite pastime. Kelly was a dear daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She made her final journey on March 2, 2020 from complications of a stroke. Rest in peach, free from pain Kelly. Sing lots of Irish songs with the angels. (3/2/21) Kelly Backstrom pic They are Sharolyn Hillman Clark, me, Joanne Lupton Koenig, Kelly and Joan Rocha. That would have been in DEN because except for me and Kelly, I don't think the others were in PHX. I think the top I am wearing is a maternity top so I'm guessing the time was 1982. Andrew was born in Nov, 1982 so would have been before that. -Diane Olesky Johnson (3/3/21) FLacebook Frontier Memorial Webpage Posted KELLY BACKSTROM 1968 - 1985 RESERVATIONS AGENT PHX DEN http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Kelly_Backstrom.html Post your remembrances of Kelly. -Jake Lamkins (3/4/21)