Painting with grace

While winning may not be everything, to Kelley Grace, her first-place finish was a sign from above.

When Lenore Nicholson called the Navarre woman with news that her poster design was chosen to depict the 2011 Run for the Reef - the annual fund-raiser for the Navarre Beach Underwater Marine Sanctuary – Kelley was noticeably distraught.

Two weeks before, Kelley, 45, was diagnosed with breast cancer. As with many cancer patients, Kelley was debating what to do with her future. With the long road to recovery lying before her, Kelley had made the decision to not return to work full time the day of Lenore’s call.

Instead, she and her husband, Navarre High School track coach Tom Lintz, decided that Kelley could make a living off her talents as an artist.

For more on this story, see the June 9 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.