Kelly M. McFadden

It is with a tremendous amount of grief that I must report yet another tragedy in my family's history. On Monday, July 28th at 7:31 am, our eldest sister and the cornerstone of our family lost her battle to lung cancer.

Instead, however, of simply presenting the traditional diatribe of Kelly's considerable accomplishments throughout her 59 years on this planet, I wanted to take some time to truly recognize the magic of who my sister was and the indelible impact she had on our family and indeed everyone that was ingratiated by her presence for any period of time.

To know Kelly Marie McFadden, born April 25th, 1966 in Allentown, PA was to understand that she was the finest embodiment of her birth sign that any crackpot astrologer could ever have hoped to conjure up. A classic Taurus of the female form, Kelly embodied those most richly deserved honors bestowed on Taurus' throughout time and testament. Fiercely loyal to her family, her friends, her co-professionals and her puppy, along with any commitment she deemed worthwhile, Kelly stood watch over us all and helped guide us through the brightest days and the darkest nights with nary an expectation in return. A pillar of true sensitivity and toughness, not a day passed in her life that was devoid of color, beauty, art and a blistering passion to move toward the endeavors she felt would make her a better student of the beautiful life that she was ultimately forced to abandon. And she never missed her mark!

The daughter of an IBM engineer, Kelly commanded a pragmatic and earth-borne intellect that allowed her to so effortlessly design warm spaces for people, whether they were her oldest friend or a relative stranger that had just come along for the ride. Through her nurturing touch, the environment was inviting and accepting for everyone in attendance no matter the location. But the location too, mattered to Kelly. Any space that she was the chief custodian of soon became the most inviting place you'd ever seen. Her acute attention to the little things were of paramount importance to Kelly. Like the people she loved so well, not a corner of a room was allowed a lack of attention no matter the expense.

And once inside, everybody had to laugh and eventually sing! Along with her passion for good books and her appreciation for a diversity of fine art, Kelly loved listening to music and singing. Among her many striking qualities was her ability to express herself through song. She sang wherever the opportunity presented itself and had the unique ability of connecting with a crowd of people that initially had no intention of joining in. In the end, we all sang! (Even Betty)

Kelly was a consummate leader and the finest case study for leading by example. And her examples were considerable. Having most recently been promoted to Executive Account Manager after being honored with the Kevin Butts Award with Daiichi Pharmaceutical Company (The first ever recipient of the award), Kelly's seventeen years of experience have made her among the chief Captains of their management staff, as well as an integral architect of their continued success. While she enjoyed the spoils of corporate success throughout her decades in the field, among her proudest moments was representing the Vestal High School Class of 1984 as the Class Secretary. She reveled in assisting the Class of 1984 reunion committee as they prepared to celebrate their 40th year reunion. Ironically, despite all her dedicated work and diligence locating hard to find (and perhaps deceased) classmates, in the end she would ultimately be unable to attend - The result of worsening side effects caused by the chemotherapy she had become accustomed to.

Kelly is reunited with her best friend and sister, Beth Ann (Betty) McFadden Peterson, along with her mother and father, Judy and Bill McFadden. Kelly is survived by her brother, Michael McFadden, brother Terry (Mary) McFadden, and sister Erin (Jimmy) Gross. She leaves behind several nieces and nephews as well: Johnny Plouffe, Jack McFadden, Jimmy Gross Jr., Samantha Holecek, Nate Gross, Ava Gross and of course her beloved English Bulldog, Roxie

............And Heaven has just become a more enviable place.

Kelly's family invites all who knew and loved her to join them in a celebration of her life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 16 at 11:00 a.m. in St. John Paul II Catholic Church, located at 127 Stone Mason Way in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Immediately following the Mass, a Committal Service will take place at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery, 4750 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. Please note that there will be no formal funeral procession.

After the services, family and friends are invited to gather for a meal and special memories from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at The North Beach Fish Camp, 100 First Street, 2nd Floor, Neptune Beach, Florida.