Kelly Wheeler

Dec. 24, 1959 — March 12, 2013

An inspiration to us all, Kelly Wheeler passed away peacefully at home in Cameron Park, Calif., with friends and family at her side. It was important to Kelly, as she strove to be able to see her young son reach his 18th birthday and to graduate from high school, and she did. It was a very proud day as her son Cameron graduated class of 2012 from Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, Calif.

Kelly had a most amazing and beautiful outlook on life and always saw the best in everything and everyone around her each and every day. She reached out during her battle to those all around her, sharing her thoughts and prayers and her strong, positive attitude. She loved sewing and knitting and using these talents, she donated hats she created to the cancer society and also made dresses to send to underprivileged children. Cooking and baking was great loves of hers also; when family and friends would visit she always had something deliciously wonderful waiting. She truly was an inspiration to us all and will greatly be missed by those who loved her dearly.

Kelly was born in Vallejo, Calif. on Dec. 24, 1959, to Jim and Clair O’Donnell. She grew up in Vallejo and attended Springstowne Junior High and Hogan Senior High School and later moved to Cottonwood, Calif., graduating from Anderson High School in 1978. She spent more than 20 years working in the insurance industry and loved working and being around people.

Kelly is survived by her loving husband, Jim Wheeler and her wonderful son, Cameron Michael Miller of Cameron Park, Calif.; her mother, Clair O’Donnell of Vallejo, Calif.; father, Jim O’Donnell of Gold Beach, Ore.; brother, Mike O’Donnell of Vallejo, Calif.; and brother, Joe O’Donnell of Midland, Texas.

A memorial service will be held for family and friends on Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m., at Rolling Hills Church in El Dorado Hills, Calif., at 800 White Rock Road. Please call Dana Guzman at 530-306-0194 for any information and details, or call Rolling Hills Church at 916-939-3527. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to caringbridge.org or to the Food Bank of El Dorado County in Cameron Park (e-mail info@foodbankedc.org for details). Please make a “tribute” donation in the name of kellywheeler.