Kerry Calvert slipped away from family and friends to be with the angels in the wee hours of Sunday, July 6, 2025. She was 72 years old.
Kerry Ellen (Back) Calvert was born on September 1, 1952 to Irene (Morrical) Back and William Ray Back in South Bend, Indiana. She moved with her family to the Denver, Colorado area when she was 12. Active in many school clubs including band, the pom-pom squad and theater, she was well-liked with many friends.
Kerry attended the University of Northern Colorado, originally for an accounting degree. When she determined she enjoyed people more than numbers(!), she switched to an English major and pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
Kerry met Thomas Calvert on July 4, 1975, and they were married three months later. This September, they would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. In 1980, the couple welcomed their daughter, Lindsey.
Kerry worked for a time at a law office in Helena, Montana, then as a secretary to the County Superintendent before joining the faculty at Capital High School. In her tenure there, she taught Word Clues, freshman English, edited the school newspaper “The Pawprint,” coached the Speech and Debate team and for nearly 25 years, managed the theater department. She impacted countless lives, not only as an educator but as a devoted mentor to many aspiring teachers. Kerry was honored with a Distinguished Educator Award in 2003, 2007 and 2009 as well as the 2010 Theater Educator of the Year.
Her students are one of her greatest legacies. Everything from finding ways to make Shakespeare more interesting to teenagers (Bearbaiting anyone? And an oft-repeated reminder of “‘Give me my long sword, ho!’ [Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, scene 1] Does not mean what you think it means!”) to her imaginative theatrical set designs, to her artistry with stage make-up, she found many opportunities to inspire and instill enriching lessons in her pupils. One of them noted recently, “She impacted a lot of people’s lives in a positive and beautiful way.”
“Calvert was a cool lady. She didn’t take any <expletive> from anybody,” offered one of her former drama students. He continued, “She was one of the strongest, toughest people I knew.”
Indeed, “Calvert”—her requested moniker from 34 years teaching at Capital High (“Don’t call me ‘Mrs. Calvert,’ that’s my mother-in-law,” she’d quip)—truly was a tenacious fighter with an even grittier wit. For 45 years, she lived with type 1 diabetes, faced three forms of arthritis, and even endured multiple bone fractures in her final years—but none of it ever broke her spirit. She refused to let the pain keep her down, staying active around the 3-story log cabin hand-built by her husband and playing with the delight of her life, a light brown Aussie-doodle named Buster Brown. She often walked the Helena farmer’s market with her friend Mary in the warmer months, enjoyed a cinnamon roll with her friend Twila at Smith’s on Tuesdays, solved New York Times crossword puzzles on Sundays with her sister-in-law Norma, and had a weekly pinochle game with Tom and two of their friends, Rod and Rita. Kerry loved life, she was determined to live it to her fullest and will truly be missed by everyone fortunate to have known her.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Calvert; their daughter, Lindsey; her older sister, Shannon Jennings; two sisters-in-law Norma and Sandy, as well as her nieces and nephews Caitie, Sarah, Sean and Ian.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home and Crematory. A celebration of life will be held September 20 at Valley Hub from 1-5 PM. In honor of Kerry’s wishes, all who plan to attend are asked to wear bright colors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Helena Food Share or a favorite animal care charity. Some of Kerry’s favorites were Alley Cat Allies and Best Friends Animal Society.
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday September 20, 2025
The Valley Hub Garden
4960 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday September 20, 2025
The Valley Hub Garden
4960 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
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Elizabeth says
Oh Mrs. Calvert…she was one of my teachers in high school. She was such an amazing woman! I loved her hair! You will be truly missed.
Suzi Cameron says
Kerry and I were very close friends for many years. She worked with my husband in Denver and we introduced her to Tom. We lost touch but recently reconnected. I am so grateful that we did. My mind has been playing pictures of times that we spent together. We went through many life changes together and I have wonderful memories of when out lives were inter-twined. I am so sad that we did not get together before she crossed the rainbow bridge.
Brenda Staley says
She was my teacher in high school I loved her class. She will be missed. She touched so many lives. Sending prayers and warm hugs to her family. May she rest in peace
Nicolle Seiller says
My sympathies to her family. She helped me alot in high school. Definitely one of my favorite teachers.
Dawnell (Downey) Blood says
Mrs Calvert was a wonderful teacher. She loved her students fiercely and made learning fun. I have so many wonderful memories of her. I am sad to see she passed away. She taught with my dad (Tim Downey) at Capital High for many years and they were good friends. We send her family our thoughts and pray that they will hold on to the cherished memories of her life. Rest in peace to an amazing lady !
Kenzie (Lachenbruch) Dobb says
The BEST godmother, friend, confidant. Always there with a witty word of advice when life seemed too confusing. So thankful my mom had her friendship and that I got the gift of her presence in my life. Too many memories to share and yet somehow there would have never been enough time with her. She’ll be missed and her legacy will follow in the pieces of her left in everyone she loved.
Bryan B says
Mrs. Calvert,
I want to take a moment to honor you and the impact you had on my life. You weren’t just a teacher in the traditional sense — you were a guide, a steady presence, and a voice that still echoes in the way I think and speak today.
There are so many lessons you taught that went beyond textbooks and tests. You taught with passion, with heart, and with a kind of quiet strength that demanded respect not through fear, but through the way you carried yourself. You believed in your students, even when we didn’t fully believe in ourselves.
I often find myself thinking back to your classroom — the way you made us feel seen and challenged us to do better, to think deeper, to care more. That mattered. You mattered. And your legacy will live on in the lives of every student you touched.
Thank you for your time, your care, and your voice in my story. You made a difference. I hope you knew that.
With gratitude and respect,
Class of 2005
Tom Literski says
Tom-So sorry for your loss. Kerry was a remarkable woman and will be missed by all who knew her. My condolences.
Jim & Denise Backstrom says
Tom, Lindsey & family, We’re so sorry to hear of the loss of Kerry. Always remember the happy times. Thinking of you at this time. If you need anything please call.
Jim & Denise Backstrom
Jan Jamruszka-Wilson says
I appreciated Kerry’s good humor and quick wit during the years we both taught at Capital High. She shared herself readily with teacher and student alike. She was a friend and I will miss her in the world. Thanks for the great memories! May her family find comfort in their memories of time spent with her!
Penny says
I knew Kerry through her sister Shannon. I always enjoyed her company when she & Tom would come to Denver. She had a great sense of humor and always so kind and open.
She will be sorely missed. 💕
Karen says
I also knew knew Kerry thru her sister Shannon
I so enjoyed when Kerry & Tom came to visit in Denver
She was a beautiful, gifted spirit that will be greatly missed by everyone who’s life she touched