I graduated from Broomfield High School in 2006 and immediately went into the accredited Mortuary Science Program at ACC. I graduated in 2008 on a Presidential Scholarship with my AAS in Mortuary Science. I passed The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards where I earned my title as MSP. I started as a Funeral Director and Embalmer for a small family funeral firm, went on to work for an Organ Procurement Agency, and eventually settled back in my passion as Funeral Director.
In October 2017, I saw a need for more choices in my community and started In Memoriam. I hold my PreNeed license in Colorado and continue to self-police and advocate for Funeral Professionals across the state by actively running The Denver Metro Funeral Directors Association and sitting on the Advisory Committee for the Mortuary College.
My official title is Mortuary Science Practitioner, which means I am a Funeral Director and Embalmer. I am here to support, educate, and continuously raise the bar higher for death-care practices. To say I love my work, my family, and my community is an understatement.
In my home life, I am a mom to two beautiful children that I share with my husband and business partner, Santiago. We have been together since 2007 and I am so humbled he has supported me all this time.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Kelsi married Santiago Mathews in 2011. They have since added Lola, 8, and Antonio, 4, to their family.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
As a funeral director, my career profoundly impacts the way I choose to live. I get to give myself fully to families who need our guidance and empathy and walk with them at one of the most difficult times that they will experience.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I have a total weakness for breakfast food so Early Bird, EAT, First Watch and Great Scott’s are an easy place to find me.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived on the Broomfield/Westminster border my whole life. I graduated from Broomfield High School in 2006 and decided it would be a great place for us to raise our children. I have been fortunate to have started my career as a funeral director in 2008 here in Broomfield.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
There are so many interesting characters here in our community! To narrow it down would be impossible!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movies are Fargo and Nacho Libre. I like intense dramas like Ozark and Boardwalk Empire.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
My advice is to always be open to learning new things or a new way of doing something. Also, never say never!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I think Broomfield does a wonderful job of inclusivity and community. Broomfield is truly unlike any other city that I am aware of and it’s those very fundamental roots that make Broomfield what it is today.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
This is such a tough question! I think I would want to sit down with Bill Nye. He’s my childhood hero and of course I would meet for breakfast!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
What I love about our community is if you don’t know someone, you know someone who knows them!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years I would love to continue managing In Memoriam. I do, however, hope at that point it will be easier to take vacations!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Something interesting that most people don’t know about me is that I can hang with Spanish speakers. Careful when you speak Spanish around me!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I think a good night’s sleep is totally a 10 out of 10.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children and the families I serve continuously inspire me to be better.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
The three words that come to mind when I think of the word “home” are security, love, and comfort!
