Obituary of Caitlin Kelley Aldridge

Caitlin, known to most as Casey, was quietly tenacious, dedicated and deeply kind. Caitlin Kelley Aldridge (Walsh) was born April 9th,1980 in St. Paul, MN to Krista Kelley Walsh and John Joseph Walsh. She grew up on the West Side, attended St. Paul’s Open School, graduated from Cretin-Derham Hall in 1998, and the University of Minnesota Morris in 2002.

She joined the West Side Boosters as one of the first girl players in 5th grade, playing guard and tackle. In 1994, she became the first girl to play football at Cretin-Derham Hall. Most of her clothes were Vikings gear. Over the last 20 years, she spent Fall Sunday and Monday nights cheering for her team with her closest friends and their growing squad.

Caitlin’s dedication showed up in her professional life in her commitment to strengthening our community and eliminating oppression through out school time youth programs. She spent most of her career as a leader on the youth programs team at the YWCA of Minneapolis, where she built lasting friendships with her colleagues and young people.

 
Her kindness will live within each of us. Casey always knew the perfect gift, knew other people’s important dates, and made people feel loved. She showed up when people needed her. There are few pictures of her alone as she cared most about documenting moments with the people she loved.

Caitlin was preceded in death by her father, John Walsh. Her cousin and friend, Lindsay Norton (Walsh). And her grandparents: Jerome Kelley, Peggy Kelley, Edward Walsh, Joan Walsh, and Mary Walsh.

She is survived by her daughter and absolute best friend, Kyler Kelley Aldridge. By her husband Johnny Ray Aldridge and his loving extended family. By her mother Krista Kelley Walsh, sister Shaun Walsh and her husband Chris Foss and their daughter Quinn. By her ride or die friends for forever, Stella Frazier and Sarah Snelling, as well as their husbands Cedrick and Greg, and children: Mya, Kalinda, Tae Shaun, Ahmad and Carrie Ann. And, by an expansive group of aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

A short outdoor service will be held on Thursday, October 14th at 10:30am at Harriet Island Pavillion (200 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd, St Paul, MN 55107). We ask that people wear masks even though outdoors, please opt out if you are not comfortable with the arrangements or if you do not feel well.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the college fund set up for her daughter, Kyler Aldridge, via check in her name sent to Alliance Bank, 55 5th St E Suite 115, St Paul, MN 55101 or venmo in her name to @Shaun-Walsh-10.