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A memorial service for Kelsey Ann Meyer, 23, who died Feb. 25 in the crash of a small plane near Cave Creek, Ariz., will be held Saturday at her parents’ home in Pleasanton.

A 2005 graduate of Amador Valley High School, she was living in Tempe, Ariz. She was born February 9, 1988 in Fremont, and grew up in Pleasanton.

At Amador, she played softball for four years. After graduating, she went on to attend Arizona State University, graduating summa cum laude in the school’s Aeronautical Technology Management/Professional Flight program.

She was a pilot and professional flight instructor in Phoenix, sharing her enthusiasm for aviation. In reporting their daughter’s death, her family said she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a pilot, and she followed that dream.

Ms. Meyer was a member of Alpha Eta Rho International Aviation Fraternity and Women in Aviation.

She also was a fan of the Oakland Athletics and cherished her Barry Zito autographed jersey. She was looking forward to wearing it to the A’s v. San Francisco Giants spring training game, but instead her friends, co-workers, students and family gathered for her memorial.

Local friends and family are invited to a celebration of Ms. Meyer’s life from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the home of her parents.

She is survived by her parents Charles Meyer and Kathleen Turner-Meyer of Pleasanton; brother Kyle Meyer of Pleasanton; grandmother Alice W. Meyer of Mill Valley CA; aunt Cam Meyer of Bend Oregoon and Phoenix; uncle Clark (Kelly) Meyer of Fairfield, Calif.; aunt Carol (Mark) Dockum of Mill Valley; uncle James (Dawn) Turner of Livermore; uncle John (Anne) Campbell of Klamath Falls Oregon, and many cousins and other relatives.

Scholarship donations in Ms. Meyer’s memory can be sent to her local chapter of Women in Aviation International, 10617 N. 8th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020, attn. Sherry Parshley.

–Jeb Bing

–Jeb Bing

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56 Comments

  2. Kelsey was not piloting the plane when it went down — one of her students was at the controls. That student also perished.

  3. My heart goes out to the family. As to the comment by “Old Friend” an instructor has the same controls as the student, and the instructor is the Pilot in Command (PIC). Flying is inherently dangerous and most accidents are due to a series of things going wrong. I don’t know any details and no one will until the NTSB finishes its investigation. I’m sorry for your loss.

  5. To the family of Kelsley, I know just how proud you are of your beautiful girl.

    I am so very sorry for your loss. May her loving spirit be near each of you. May she help you feel peace and love for all that you helped her achieve in this life.

  6. Kelsey was smart, funny, a beautiful young woman and she was my daughter’s very best friend. We are morning her loss and will remember her always.

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