Dr. Lynn Frady Kelley, former president, The Foundation at Hearst Castle

Lynn first became a member of The Foundation at Hearst Castle (then known as Friends of Hearst Castle) in 2000. In 2005 she was elected to the Board of Directors where she completed three 3-year terms, serving as vice president in 2008, 2009 and 2011, and president in 2009 and 2010. After her retirement from the board in 2014 she was named an Honorary Director. 

Her vast educational background included an Associate in Arts degree in General Education from Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from San Francisco State University, a Master of Science degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Minot State University, North Dakota, a Master of Arts degree in Educational Supervision from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Curriculum and Instruction from Brigham Young University. She was also a Rotary International scholar at Swansea College in South Wales. Her career path led her to San Luis Obispo where she worked for many years at Cuesta College, retiring as the Director of Learning Skills and Disability Services in 2001.

Lynn served on the boards of directors for many local organizations including the Mozart Festival, Literacy Council, Achievement House and the San Luis Obispo High School Advisory Council. She was an active member and past president of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, the oldest service club in San Luis Obispo County. In 1987, Lynn became San Luis Obispo’s first woman Rotarian, and in 2001 she was named “Woman of Distinction.”

But Lynn did not spend her whole life in the stuffy world of academia. She had many unique experiences along the way, including serving time in both San Quentin and Chino prisons! Her father was a prison warden and her family lived on the grounds of these establishments while she was growing up. She told many fascinating stories about living in such an environment, including the time her family’s house was surrounded by armed prison guards who feared her family had been taken hostage by marauding prisoners who were flashing signals to each other, only to find out her family was simply showing slides of a family vacation and the flashing lights were from the slide projector!

Other unique adventures included marching down Colorado Boulevard twirling her baton in the 1956 Rose Parade, and she was once marooned on a glacial ledge, spending the night alone while on an Outward Bound expedition. She often recalled stories about her bicycle trip to San Simeon on the day Hearst Castle opened to the public. From then on, Hearst Castle remained very dear to her heart. 

To sum it up quite simply, to have known Lynn Kelley was to have loved her. Her service to The Foundation at Hearst Castle was unwavering over the years, through good times and the more challenging times. Her input and leadership at board meetings was insightful and valuable. She had an ability to cut to the chase and inspire, encourage even humor each and every one of us who served with her. It was an honor to know you Lynn and we will greatly miss you.