Dear Colleagues,

I am sharing sad news of the passing of a member of our UWM community, from colleagues in University Relations & Communications.

Lesley Kelling
Lesley Kelling, a designer in University Relations & Communications, passed away October 16, 2021.

Kelling was a Milwaukee native, who lived part of her adult life in the house that had belonged to her grandparents near UWM. She also spent much of her childhood living in Middle Eastern countries with her parents, who were employed by the U.S. government.

Because of this, Kelling had friends all over the world and all over the university.

She started as a graphic designer at the Lubar School of Business in 2000, before moving to what is now UITS in 2006. In 2012, she was part of a reorganization that moved Design and Print & Copy into University Relations & Communications.

In addition to troubleshooting design-related software and different kinds of printers, Kelling helped people from across campus learn and use the email marketing program, Emma, said Creative Manager Kelly Grulkowski, who was Kelling’s supervisor.

“She had a kindness and an easy generosity that was baked into her,” said Allie Kilmer, one of Kelling’s fellow designers. Outside of work, Kelling was an enthusiast of motorized scooters and spent many hours going on long rides with friends.

She went to high school in Virginia and then attended the University of Houston in Texas briefly before transferring to the Art Institute of Houston, where she earned her associate degree in graphic design.

Kelling is survived by three sons. Her family will hold a life celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 6 at Northshore Funeral Services.

Our condolences go to Lesley’s family and to the many others whose lives she touched.

Take care,
Johannes

Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs