Venetta Kell

Retired professor Venetta Kell dies at 88

Venetta Kell, a retired Northern Arizona University business professor, died June 19 in her Yucaipa, Calif., home. She was 88.

Dr. Kell was a business professor at NAU from 1961 to 1983. She also served as head of the business education and communications departments. The Kell Communications Room in The W.A. Franke College of Business was named in her honor.

Dr. Kell received numerous awards during her NAU career, including the Distinguished Faculty Alumni Award, 1971; Outstanding Business Woman of the Year, 1968; Outstanding Faculty Woman of the Year, 1967; recognition in Who's Who in the West and Who's Who of American Women; Outstanding Educators, 1972; Leaders in Education, 1974 and Outstanding Vocational Educator of Arizona, 1976.

Born Sept. 17, 1918, in Cyril, Okla., to McKinley and Ada Bynum, Dr. Kell earned her bachelor's degree in commerce from Oklahoma College for Women, now the University of Science and the Arts of Oklahoma. She earned her master's degree in business education and her doctorate in education from the University of Oklahoma.

She is survived by her daughter, Anne Kell, in Yucaipa, who also became a teacher.

Condolences can be sent through the Desert Lawn Funeral Home, 11251 Desert Lawn Drive, Calimesa, CA 92320 or online.