A lifelong resident of St. Maries, Idaho Kelly J. Pugh died on August 15, 2026, at Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.

Kelly was born on November 25, 1952, to Robert and Margaret (Spooner) Barden in St. Maries, Idaho. She was baptized at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in St. Maries, Idaho on December 14, 1952, and was an active member of the parish her entire life.

Kelly loved living in St. Maries, Idaho and never once had any desire to live elsewhere. She loved the beauty of the local area and the pretty cross that was lit up on the mountain overlooking the valley in the evenings. She especially appreciated the way the St. Maries community came together time and time again to support those in need with various fundraisers through the years. She enjoyed walking, occasional shopping trips with friends, spiritual reading, attending church and community events, spending time with family and friends, and watching the Gonzaga boys’ basketball games of which she was an avid fan for many years. She especially loved the Christmas season!

Kelly felt very blessed and fortunate to attend her 1-8 grades of school at St. Mary’s Academy where she was taught by the Benedictine nuns who came to St. Maries each year from the St. Gertrude’s Convent in Cottonwood, Idaho. She attended St. Maries High School for the 9-12 grades and graduated with the class of 1971.

At the young age of 11, she began babysitting for family members and others in the community. During her senior year in high school, she started working as an office aide at the St. Joe National Forest through the high school DECA Program which lasted for a couple years. From there, she went to work as a bookkeeper for First Security Bank for three to four years. During ten of the years that her kids were growing up, she worked as the Religious Education Coordinator for the 1-8 grades in her parish as this position allowed her to be a stay at home mother and take care of her children which she viewed as the most important role and highlight in her life. In October of 2004, she began working at the Valley Vista Care nursing home as the Receptionist/Administrative Assistant where she served for nearly 18 years until she retired from working in a full-time capacity in August 2022 to pursue part-time work.

When Kelly was 15 years old, her mother died of cancer at the age of 38 leaving behind her father and eight children ages 4-16 years of age. Needless to say, this was a hardship on the family, yet they managed to stay together. It was her gift of faith and God’s grace and strength that sustained her during the difficult times of her life.

On April 6, 1974 Kelly married Tom Pugh at St. Mary’s Immaculate Parish in St. Maries, Idaho. God blessed their marriage with two precious children, Nicole & John who brought so much love, joy, and enrichment to their lives. The couple divorced in 2005.

Kelly is survived by her children Nicole (Kurt) Witten and John (Christy) Pugh; two grandsons Michael Pugh and Jonathon Witten; a step-grandson Markus (Jessica) Witten; two step great grandsons Tristen and Leighton; two great granddaughter’s RayLynn & Everleigh, and her siblings; Debbie (Rick) Farrell, Tana (Terry) Nichols, Doug (Sherry) Barden, Greg Barden, Paul (Judy) Barden, Collin (Shawna) Barden, Jayme (Bill) Kachelmier and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both of her parents.

Kelly will be laid to rest beside her parents at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the St. Mary Immaculate Parish or the St. Maries Cross Fund.

A rosary will be held at St. Mary Immaculate Parish on August 20, 2026 at 6:00 pm. A funeral Mass will be offered at St. Mary Immaculate Parish on August 21, 2026 at 11:00 am with Father Jerome Montez celebrating. A meal will follow at the Benedictine Hall. Kelly will then be laid to rest at 2:00 pm at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries, Idaho.