Kimberlee Rae Farrell Nanda

Kimberlee passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 43 years old.

Born on September 6, 1981, in Craig, Colorado, to Rhonda and Casey Farrell, Kimberlee was the cherished youngest sibling of Michael and Kelly. From the start, she was full of life—curious, creative, spirited, and often delightfully mischievous. She loved anything that allowed her to dance, tell a story, or play music. She began dancing at the age of 2 and started playing the piano at 6, participating in the National Guild of Piano through high school. In high school, Kimberlee discovered musical theater and fell in love with the stage—a passion that led her to study at Mesa State University. There, she nurtured her love of performance and began building the life she envisioned.

She married Tanny Nanda on June 16, 2001, and together they had two children, Noble and Aria, who remained the center of Kimberlee’s world. Being a mom was her greatest joy, and she gave her heart fully to supporting and loving her kids. After graduating, Kimberlee and Tanny opened a dessert theater in Winter Park, where they directed, performed, and shared their creative gifts with the community. They also led the Middle Park High School theater program for five years, helping shape the next generation of performers. Kimberlee later earned her alternative teaching license and became the music and drama teacher at West Grand K–8, continuing to pour into young artists.

In 2011, Kimberlee was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare brain cancer. She faced the diagnosis with courage and strength, undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and rehabilitation. When the cancer went into remission and she regained some independence, she and her family moved to Broomfield. There, she focused on healing, being a stay-at-home mom, and continuing her creative pursuits—writing music and stories, making art, and performing with Phamaly Theatre Company, an organization supporting actors with disabilities—a cause close to her heart. In 2021, scans revealed signs of tumor regrowth. With prayerful consideration, Kimberlee made the decision not to pursue further treatment.

In 2022, Kimberlee returned to Granby to spend the remainder of her life in the community she loved most. Despite the progression of her illness, Kimberlee remained closely connected to the people she loved. She especially cherished time with her nieces and nephews staying present at their activities and sharing meaningful moments whenever possible. Visits with her children brought her deep joy, as did the steady support of close friends. Kimberlee also shared many important years and memories with the Nanda family, who remain a significant part of Noble and Aria’s lives. Kimberlee’s creative spirit lives on through her original artwork, music, musicals, films, and skits. She poured her heart into the arts, leaving behind a beautiful legacy. She released three albums of original piano compositions—The Diary, Moving On, and Songs from the Brain—each capturing moments of her journey and inner world. During her time at Mesa State University, she wrote and staged an original musical, The Real Story, which was performed in the campus’s Black Box Theater. She also co-wrote a short film in partnership with Phamaly Theatre Company, a group that was especially meaningful to her. Kimberlee’s creative work continues to inspire those who knew her and offers a lasting glimpse into her vibrant mind and generous heart. Kimberlee will be remembered for her fierce love, creative spark, resilience, determination and generous soul. She lived authentically and gracefully, even in the face of hardship.

Her legacy lives on in the students she taught, the friends she inspired, the family she cherished, and the countless lives she touched. She is survived by her children, Noble and Aria; her parents, Rhonda and Casey Farrell; her siblings, Michael Farrell (Tarryn) and Kelly Martin (Earl); her nieces and nephews; and many extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.

A celebration of Kimberlee’s life will be held on July 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of the Eternal Hills in Tabernash, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Middle Park High School Theater Program or Namaste Hospice in Kimberlee’s memory.