Diane Kay Kelso

Diane Kay (Beard) Kelso, of Fishers, IN, passed away August 31, 2024, at the age of 78, after a brief battle with lung cancer. She was born March 24, 1946, in South Bend, Indiana to Kenneth and Virginia (Williams) Beard. 

A graduate of South Bend Adams High School, Diane went on to excel in her studies at IU Bloomington, earning her associate's degree. She brought her expertise to the medical field, working as an x-ray technician and an ultrasound technician at Riverview Hospital.

It was there that she met the love of her life, Bill, forming a partnership that was admired by all who knew them. Together, Diane and Bill embraced life as a team, sharing a bond marked by unwavering love for 43 years. When they were together, they could make almost anything happen. Diane and Bill enjoyed snow skiing at their Deer Valley home in Park City, Utah, but of course, Forest Knoll was their anchor home on the Geist Reservoir. She also further challenged herself by becoming an excellent water skier too. For many years, Diane and Bill were one of the sponsors of The Grand Soire Party at the Art Museum. A party conjunction with the 500-mile run.

A talented and avid golfer, Diane was a proud member of Woodland Country Club in Carmel, IN, The Hawthorns Golf Club in Fishers, IN, and of course her favorite, the Palmira Golf & Country Club in Bonita Springs, FL, where she was quite active in all their activities. Diane and Bill would spend months in Florida golfing and were snowbirds in Palmira for the last 15 years. Her enthusiasm for life extended to fine dining, a passion that she paired with her remarkable cooking skills. Each holiday season, she took on the role of chef, preparing splendid family meals that brought joy and warmth to her loved ones during Christmas and Thanksgiving.

She had a passion for traveling and loved to explore new places, often bringing back cherished memories and new friends from her travels. Diane also found joy in spending time with her children, grandchildren and family, and being with her dogs at Palmira Dog Park.

A remarkable woman, Diane was a proud 20-year survivor of breast cancer, embodying resilience and strength throughout her life. She leaves behind countless memories and an indelible mark on the hearts of all who had the privilege to know her.

She will be sorely missed by her loving husband of 42 years William R. (Bill) Kelso, Jr.; her children, Jane Anderson of Noblesville, IN, and William R. Kelso, III, of Dayton, OH; 2 grandchildren, Lauren Eskew of Fishers, IN, and Candice Snyder (Ryan Murra) of Austin, TX; sister, Marcia Coble of Naples, FL; and nieces, Tracy Coble (Bob Farris) of Florida, and Leslie (Tim) Klusczinski of South Bend, IN, all of whom she dearly loved.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents and her children, Molly K. Anderson and Kimberly L. McMurtry.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 6, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Flanner Buchanan- Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46250. Family, friends, and all who loved Diane are invited to gather in her memory, to share stories and reflect on the extraordinary person she was along with food and light refreshments.