Kelly Beth Balke

Kelly Beth Balke, age 43, passed away on October 10, 2012 in Houston. She was welcomed to this world on May 20, 1969 by her parents James and Carolyn Balke. She was born at the Naval Air Station Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and baptized at Industry Methodist Church. She was raised in the Methodist faith. Kelly graduated from Midway High School in 1987 in Waco and received a degree in Cosmetology from McLennan Community College. She enjoyed a career as a beauty advisor for Lancome cosmetics for twenty-two years having worked for Goldstein-Migel, Dillard's and Belk Department Stores in Waco. Kelly will be remembered for her welcoming smile, her distinctive laugh and her sparkling blue eyes. She enjoyed attending concerts, listening to music, reading celebrity autobiographies and doing word puzzles. Kelly had a special interest in Great Britain and visited the nation on several vacations. She enjoyed collecting books, was a wiz at 80's pop culture trivia and was a devoted fan of Rick Springfield. Kelly loved animals, especially cats, and appreciated their unconditional love. She deeply loved her grandparents and looked forward to spending weekends and summer breaks with them in the Bleiblerville community. She was a gifted makeup artist and took great pride in her career. She received numerous sales awards and volunteered her talents for local charities. She greatly appreciated her clients and included them in her circle of friends. Kelly displayed amazing courage, strength and unfailing faith throughout her journey the past six months with pancreatic cancer. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Gilbert and Leona Minton and Casper and Celesta Balke. Kelly is survived by her devoted parents and loving sister, Susan Balke of Bleiblerville and godparents Lorraine Teufel, Jimmie Buenger and Marian Balke. She was loved by her family, friends and her faithful clients. Her family wishes to give thanks to George and Beverly Tibbs and their daughters for their encouragement and loyal friendship. Thank you to Richard and Kaylon Fenner for their generosity in providing a nurturing and healing haven for us throughout Kelly's treatment at MDAnderson. Thank you to all of the staff at the hospital and clinic for the outstanding medical care, advice and support. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to either Fuzzy Friends Rescue, P.O. Box 20966, Waco, TX 76702 or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.