Arden McConnell

Arden McConnell

 October 29, 1930 - February 9, 2026

 After a life filled with love, laughter, courage, and deep devotion to her family and hometown, Arden McConnell passed away February 9, 2026, at the age of 95, surrounded by loved ones. 

She remained sharp-witted and strong-spirited until the very end. 

Arden was born on October 29, 1930, in Grants Pass, Oregon, to Helen Higgins and Samuel McConnell. Her parents met in downtown Grants Pass. He was a music major from the University of Oregon, and she worked in a general store. He spotted her from across the street, a beautiful blonde, and began playing the piano loudly to get her attention. It worked. They soon married and their daughter Arden was born into a family full of ambition and heart. 

Samuel later became the youngest councilman in Oregon state history, and together, he and Helen operated and owned The Palace Café on 6th Street. Arden began waitressing there at just 10 years old and loved every minute of it. She enjoyed talking with patrons and earning pocket money, mostly quarters, during the difficult World War II years. She often spoke of trading sugar ration stamps for shoe stamps with a neighbor. Having lived through war, cultural revolutions, and immense social change, Arden witnessed nearly a century of transformation. 

Family was everything to her. She adored her parents and carried that devotion into her own life.

 Arden graduated from Grants Pass High School and married her high school sweetheart, Elvis Clyde Blevins, who went on to become a professional baseball player. Together they had three children: Kent Blevins, Mark Blevins, and Lisa Keenan. 

Determined and ambitious, Arden pursued higher education in Ashland, Chico, and Sacramento. While living in Chico, she began working in radio, initially selling advertising slots to local businesses before becoming the on-air host of Women’s World on KPAY Radio. Known on air as “Kay Pay Kay,” she hosted a daily hour-long program interviewing guests and discussing issues important to women. 

A trailblazer in broadcasting, Arden fought for opportunities in a male-dominated field. In 1960, she received her big break covering the Winter Olympics in Lake Tahoe. There were no other female reporters present. She was issued a press pass partly because her name, Arden, was assumed by some to be male, a fact that also once enabled her to receive a credit card in an era when women were often denied them. During the Olympics, she interviewed athletes and connected with prominent journalists, including Walter Cronkite.

 In 1962, Arden moved to Sacramento and began working at Channel 10 in television news as a scriptwriter for the news producer. Her skill in marketing and communications led her to Madison & Associates advertising agency. Eventually, she founded her own firm, Arden Advertising, located in the Arden Ethan building on Arden Way, a deliberate and savvy branding move. She built a strong clientele that included Rayle’s grocery stores, Handy Pantry, Crestview Shopping Center among others.

Her expertise in marketing and fundraising led her to public service. In 1975, she became Special Assistant to Governor Jerry Brown, serving as a senior advisor for two terms. On January 6, 1975, she organized a more informal prayer breakfast for his inauguration, signaling a departure from tradition and aligning with his unconventional political image. 

Arden played a significant role in shaping public initiatives during her time in the Governor’s office. She was instrumental in organizing the high-profile 1976 “Celebration of Whales” event that launched California’s “Save the Whales” campaign, drawing worldwide attention and contributing to the broader movement to end commercial whaling. The event helped reshape the public image of the administration and marked an important moment in California political history. 

In 1975, acupuncture was not yet legal in California. Because it helped relieve her chronic migraines, she fought for its legalization after her acupuncturist was repeatedly arrested. She bailed him out, attended his court hearing, and raised the issue with Governor Brown. The resulting legislation, the Acupuncture Licensure Act of 1975, formally legalized and regulated acupuncture in California, establishing the state as a national leader in the field.

Arden also worked closely with Governor Brown on his early vision for California to enter the space and satellite arena. At a time when the idea of a state-led satellite initiative was bold and unconventional, Arden brought former NASA astronaut Rusty Schweickart into the fold, recognizing the importance of having credible scientific leadership behind the effort. She arranged for him to brief members of the California Legislature, helping lawmakers understand how satellite technology could benefit the state.

Arden believed deeply in investing in young people while protecting California’s natural resources. She was instrumental in securing increased state funding for the California Conservation Corps. In recognition of her dedication to public service, Arden was named an Honorary Colonel in the California National Guard. 

Arden was immensely proud of her work in public service. She cherished her time working for Governor Brown and often expressed hope that California would one day create a library in his name. 

Her achievements in public service brought her back to her roots in a meaningful way. On June 9, 1988, during Grants Pass High School’s centennial year, she was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in recognition of her work in the Governor’s office and her lasting impact beyond her hometown. 

After Governor Brown’s second term, Arden and her mother returned to Grants Pass in 1995 and restored her childhood riverfront home, built in 1936. She cared for her parents in their later years and briefly worked for Governor Gray Davis before fully retiring from state service. 

Back in Grants Pass, Arden became deeply involved in local politics and historic preservation. She volunteered with the Lions Club, served on the Historical Society board, and in 2006 joined the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission, serving as Vice Chair. She dedicated 20 years to the commission; it was her passion. She was recently honored by the Grants Pass Mayor and City Council for her service, recognition that appeared on the front page of The Courier on February 5, 2026, just days before her passing. 

Among her many local accomplishments, she was instrumental in placing Riverside Park on the National Register of Historic Places, establishing the first residential historic district in Northwest Grants Pass, televising City Council meetings, lowering fees for public records requests, and designating the city’s first heritage trees, coastal redwoods planted by her father in 1917 in Martian Park. Her dream was to see a museum dedicated to Grants Pass history.

Arden was tenacious, fearless, and unwavering in her convictions. Affectionately known as “The Badass of Grants Pass,” she wore the title proudly. She leaves behind not only a loving family, but a town and a generation shaped by her determination to challenge systems, protect history, and fight for what she believed was right. The river still runs past the home she restored, and her legacy runs just as steady through the community she loved. She is greatly missed. Survived by her loving children Kent Blevins, Mark Blevins, and Lisa Keenan; her seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild on the way; and a community forever changed by her dedication. Her beloved river home will remain in the family and continue to be occupied by them.

 There will be a celebration of life on May 16, 2026. For details, email ardenscelebration@gmail.com. In addition, an announcement will be posted on Hull & Hull (www.since1928hull.com/obituaries) 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made toward a memorial bench to be placed at Riverside Park in her honor. Any funds received beyond the cost of the bench will be donated to the Grants Pass Historical Society in Arden’s name. Please write ‘Memorial Bench’ in the memo line. 

Donations may be sent to: Chelsea Keenan PO Box 304 Clayton, CA 94517

Please share a memory of Arden in her Guestbook.