Carolyn Renshaw McKelvey

Carolyn Renshaw McKelvey, 86, of Owensboro, beloved wife, mother, and Gigi, passed away January 11, 2024, at Wellington Parc.

Carolyn was born September 16, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio to parents Samuel Renshaw and Vivian Hart Renshaw.  She grew up in Columbus where she attended Upper Arlington High School and Ohio State University.  Carolyn obtained her medical degree in 1964 from Ohio State where she met the love of her life, Charles.  The two were wed June 9, 1963, and the following year she moved to Staten Island where she served as a lieutenant commander in the United States Public Health Service for two years before establishing a busy practice in Louisville.  

Carolyn took an early retirement after the birth of her second child to raise her children.  She and Charles moved to Owensboro where she was active in many community organizations.  She enriched her community by participating on the boards of Hospice, the Family Y, the Owensboro Symphony, the Salvation Army, the Owensboro Area Museum of Science and History (past chair), school PTOs, the Daviess County Medical Society Alliance, the Fleur de Lis Garden Club (president) and as the first chair of the Owensboro Parks Foundation.  Carolyn attended Trinity Episcopal Church where she faithfully served on the altar guild for forty years.

Favorite pastimes of Carolyn’s included entertaining, reading, planning vacations, traveling the world, gardening, shopping, and creating delicious meals in her kitchen.  She had a special affinity for dogs and hosted many-a-stray in her lifetime.  Above all, she loved spending time with family and friends, and her door as well as her heart were always open to visitors.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Allen Renshaw McKelvey, and her husband Charles in August of 2022.

Those left to cherish her memory include a daughter, Karen (Dan) Andersen; a son, Mark (Amy) McKelvey; and her brother, Thomas (Carol) Renshaw. Gigi was adored by her grandchildren, Carson, Lily and Tanner Andersen and Palmer and Paxton McKelvey.

The family is grateful for the caring attention of the staff of Cedarhurst, and more recently Wellington Parc, with special thanks to caregiver Sherry Lewis.

The funeral service for Carolyn Renshaw McKelvey will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20 at Trinity Episcopal Church with Father David Carletta officiating.  The burial will follow at Owensboro Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be held Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m at the church. Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.  

In Lieu of flowers, the family has requested that expressions of sympathy to take the form of contributions to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at https://curealz.org/outreach/in-memory/carolyn-renshaw-mckelvey/ or Trinity Episcopal Church 720 Ford Avenue Owensboro, KY 42301.

Memories and condolences for the family of Carolyn Renshaw McKelvey may be offered at www.glenncares.com.