R.I.P.: Chico Radio Personality Lisa Kelly

Lisa Kelly

Radio Personality Lisa Kelly, who had been on Chico’s airwaves for nearly 30 years at numerous country and rock stations, died of pancreatic cancer Wednesday.

She was 57, according to orovillemr.com.

Chris Falkenstein, promotions and programming specialist at Radio Chico, said they lost a family member.

Kelly was the most generous person Falkenstein had ever met and she was always happy to see friends. When others were feeling down, she was able to crack a joke and raise people’s spirits.

Kelly first signed on to the Chico airwaves in 1986 with rock station KFMF 93.9 FM. After spending time at Thunder 100.7, she returned to KFMF The Hippo in 2012. Falkenstein said Kelly also broadcast on KALF 95.7 The Wolf, primarily producing short news items.

Falkenstein said Kelly was a major asset for The Hippo, appearing at community events and helping raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Although she worked at both country and rock stations, he said Kelly was more at home on air with rock music.

“Everyone knew who she was,” Falkenstein said.

Kelly stepped away from the mic and went on leave in October when she was diagnosed with cancer. She initially had surgery that removed most of the cancer, but it was later discovered the cancer had spread to her liver. At that point, Kelly declined chemotherapy, according to Falkenstein.