Patricia Kellogg

Patricia Wendt Kellogg, age 67, of Saranac Lake died peacefully in her home on November 29, 2015, surrounded by her children and beloved pets.

Born to Susanne and George Kellogg in Buffalo, NY, Patty spent summers at a family camp on Big Wolf Lake, near Tupper. From an early age, the Adirondacks held a special place in her heart.

Patty married Billy McLean in July of 1968 and soon after moved to Ward, Colorado, a tiny town high in the Rocky Mountains. Together, they bought and ran the Millsite Inn Restaurant, which quickly became a favorite gathering place for good food and great friends.

Their daughter, Fyfe was born a few years later. She spent her first years with her loving parents, surrounded by a close community of extended family and friends, and the wild beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Tragically, Billy passed away due to a car accident in October of 1974.

Patty remarried in September of 1976, to Mark Graff, of Flint, Michigan. They had two daughters, Sarah and Andrea, and a son, David. They remained in the Colorado mountains for several more years. Life wasn’t always easy at 9,500 feet, and the winters were long and cold. Patty embraced it all with her usual tenacity, always working hard to keep her children happy, healthy and warm. After separating from Mark, Patty decided it was time for a change. She moved with her children to Maui, Hawaii, where winter became a distant memory. They all enjoyed the easy life-style of living in Hawaii. Patty loved taking the kids to the beach and playing tennis with her friends.

Years later, Patty relocated to Portland, Oregon to be close to Fyfe and her new family, as Patty’s first grandson, Connor was born in 1998. Zoe followed a few years later. Patty had always been interested in health and wellness, and decided to get her ADAPT (Athletic Development and Performance Training) Certification in Portland. Ever since then, she devoted herself to guiding countless people toward health and fitness.

When David graduated from high school, and Sarah, living in Lake Placid began a family of her own, Patty heeded the “call of the wild” Adirondacks, moved back east, and built her dream home outside of Saranac Lake. She loved canoeing and swimming in the summer, taking long walks with her dog, Koa, cross-country skiing in the winter, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying the beauty of the North Woods. She worked at Lake Placid Fitness Revolution for several years, taught classes at Paul Smiths College, and also helped people one-on-one to meet their fitness and wellness goals. Countless people over the years benefitted from Patty’s commitment to health, and enjoyed her no-nonsense, thoughtful approach. Patty was also deeply involved in the Adirondack Alliance Church in Saranac Lake, where she forged some wonderful friendships.

Patty will be remembered for her kind heart, intelligent mind and sharp wit. She left this world before her time, but touched so many countless lives while she walked this earth. She lives on in her children, grandchildren, and all the friends and family she impacted in her life. She is survived by her children: Fyfe, Sarah, Andrea and David, and grandchildren: Connor, Zoe, Grace, Julia, Hudson and Emery. All of her grandchildren loved her deeply, for her wonderful humor and warmth.

Services will be held at Fortune Keough Funeral Home at 4pm on Wednesday with a reception to follow at Adirondack Alliance Church. In Patty’s honor, please donate to Young Life of Saranac Lake, 4014 NY-30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.