"Im so sorry to hear of Kelsey passing i just looked her up so many things were going on in my life at the time .was not aware.. may she rest in peace shes with joshua and her rest of class mates looking down on us"
In loving memory of
Kelsey Flynn O'Connor
February 17, 1987 - March 28, 2018
Kelsey Flynn OConnor, 31, of Newport, died after a brief illness on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the home of her parents in Middletown. Kelsey was born on February 17, 1987 in Newport, she is the daughter of Jack and Chyleene (Flynn) OConnor. Kelsey lived her life boldly and bravely. All who knew her will lovingly remember her contagious laugh and bright smile. She enjoyed the simple things in life - good food, loud music, sunshine, and quiet time with a book. Her adventurous side, though, loved roller coasters, fast boats, and skiing. She was constantly trying to make people laugh with fake burps, headlock hugs, and a sarcastic sense of humor. Kelsey taught so many about the importance of inclusion and focusing on ability over disability. Her lessons and light will continue to shine for many years to come.Kelsey has been wonderfully supported by many amazing people throughout her life, including caring doctors and nurses, teachers and friends at Middletown Public Schools, and the incredible staff at Looking Upwards.In addition to her parents, Kelsey is survived by her two sisters: Meghan Ford and her husband Jay of Middletown and Cate OConnor and her fiance Andrew Sullivan of Boston, her grandmother, Marilyn Lynn Flynn of Newport, a niece and nephew, Addie and Jack Ford, and many cousins, aunts and uncles who loved her and were inspired by her each day. She will be missed dearly by her housemates Hope, AnnMarie, and Rayna.She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Lt. Gen. William Sheridan Flynn, USA, (Ret.), grandparents Joseph and Ruth OConnor, and aunt Elizabeth O'Connor.Calling hours will be Monday, April 2, 2018 from 4:00-7:00pm at Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport, RI.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 3 at 10:00 am at St. Marys Church, Spring Street, Newport, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Kelsey for their work to build inclusive communities, donate online at www.thekelsey.org or by mail to The Kelsey, 617 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117, or to Looking Upwards, P.O. Box 4289, Middletown, RI 02842 or www.lookingupwards.org. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery 465 Browns Lane Middletown, RI, 02842
Tributes
"Dear Chyleene and Jack, My sincerest wishes for peace extend to you and your family. Your strength and vision will guide you through this very difficult time. Kelsey's spirit will live through you all.Christine Montanaro"
"Dear Chyleene and Jack,I'm so very sorry for your loss. My first encounter with Kelsey was when she was very young and I had the privilege of taking her sailing when Shake-A-Leg existed. She really loved life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.Annette Bourbonniere"
"Chyleene & Jack; We are very sorry for your loss. Kelsey was a wonderful young woman. Her smile was contagious! Our prayers are with your family. Greg, Pat and Michelle Paquette"
"Chyleene & Jack, so sorry to hear about Kelsey's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole family Donna, Tim, Jon Shoppell"
"Jack, my sincere condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. P. DeMelo"
"Heartfelt sympathy Chyleene, Jack and family. We only had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting Kelsey once, years ago, when your family came to PA to watch Connor and Brendan (and maybe Patrick??) while we attended John and Amy's wedding. Brendan was thrilled that he got to ride with Kelsey in her special chair:). I remember her laugh and how much love your family shared. So sorry for her early passing. I know she will be greatly missed by all. Kathy & Charlie"
"Alicia Hicks lit a candle in memory of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor"
"Dear Chyleene, I'm so very sorry to hear about Kelsey's passing, I will always have such fond memoires of meeting up with you, Kelsey and Jack on some of the coldest days of winter at Fort Adams. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.Margo Pires"
"Gracious Lavender Basket was purchased for the family of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor."
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Cherish those memories. Beth Taber"
"Dreams From the Heart Bouquet was purchased for the family of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor."
""The souls of the just are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch them." Wisdom 3:1 Another graduation...this time, summa cum laude...Well done Kelsey!! Our sincerest condolences to you, and your family, for the deep and sorrowful loss of your beautiful daughter, Kelsey Flynn....With much love, Denise, Kevin, Tom, Ceili, Finn, & Ollie McCarthy"
"My heart is so full of love for Kelsey's sweet amazing soul and the beauty she has radiated over her lifetime .... she has changed this world and will live in our memories ....forever....she was an earth angel:innocent:now in the hands of her creator and with your daddy by her side:heart: love you all. Blessing and comfort. You are all in my heart and prayers, with deepest love and condolences."
"What an amazing life Kelsey had with her loving family! She is very blessed to have been surrounded by positivity and love and I know that she was an inspiration to all of us. I was lucky enough to become a part of Looking Upwards Sumer Camp which led me to an amazing career in inclusion and teaching. I was blessed to meet and work with many members of the O'Connor family. The world is better for having had you in it Kelsey. You will be missed and remembered fondly. All my love to you and your family!"
"Dear Chyleene, Jack, & Family.I was so sad to hear of Kelsey's passing, but I am sure she is with God in Heavenright now. What a pure soul she was!Please accept my deepest sympathy at this most difficult time.I am sure you have so many wonderful memories of her. I know I do.She was the delight of our Fourth Grade classroom. She was certainly popular.All her classmates wanted to be with her,Please know that I am keeping everyone in my prayers.I'll never forget Kelsey.Rest in Pece.Love, Eileen Brown"
"Martha Costa lit a candle in memory of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor"
"Dear Chyleene, Jack, Patty and Mary Ellen, We are so proud of Kelsey, her physical accomplishments, her enthusiasm for music, a party and her devotion to family and friends. The Spets family as a whole grew up with her and has been cheering her on for 31 years. We are deeply saddened to learn of your family's loss.Lovingly,Kathy, David, Ashley, Rob and Dylan"
"Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor."
"Dear Chyleene, I am greatly saddened at the news of Kelsey's passing. Please be assured of my prayers for the swift repose of her soul and know that I will be asking my fellow servers at Holy Innocents here in New York City to remember her in prayer during tonight's great Easter Vigil. All my love, Cousin John"
"Dear O'Connor Family,We are so sad to hear of Kelsey's passing. Sitting across from you at mass was always a delight. The love and care shared between you was beautiful to witness. Asking the Angels support you during this very sad time. Much love to you,The Wildemann Family"
"Dear Chyleene and family,I was saddened to hear of the loss of Kelsey. You may not remember me but I sure do remember you from many years ago. I met you when Kelsey was just a baby and I was doing family support work. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. We can never possibly be prepared for the loss of one of our children. We lost Jason more than 30 years ago - but he is still with me every day. May the many years of memories you have with Kelsey comfort you in this time of great sorrow.Dawn Wardyga & familyBarrington RI"
"So very sorry for you loss, remember Kelsey with her family at masses! God rest her soul, heaven has gained another Angel!!"
"I will always cherish my memories of Kelsey and her wonderful family. Taking care of her was my pleasure. Seeing her later in life always brought a big smile to my face. RIP Kelsey and hugs to her family."
"Sincerest condolences to all of the O'Connor family! Praying that the wonderful memories you all have of Kelsey will bring you comfort. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Kelsey as one of her speech therapists in the Middletown Public Schools for several years. She certainly led a very full life and taught so many of her classmates, friends and teachers the value of inclusion. And with a very unique sense of humor!"
"chyleene you and your whole beautiful family are in my heart, thoughts and prayers; i'm so very sorry for your sad loss. i never had a chance to meet kelsey but somehow knowing you and seeing your family on facebook pictures i know what a special close bond of love you all share. love and peace to you now and always, brigitte :pray::latin_cross:i:broken_heart::sparkling_heart:"
"My heart is sad to hear of Kelsey's passing. I will always remember her smiles, laugh and how she enjoyed school. I'm glad I had the pleasure of being one of Kelsey's Teacher's Assistant at Aquidneck School and seeing her graduate with my son in 2006. My deepest condolences go out to the O'Connor Family."
"Your Light Shines was purchased for the family of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor."
"My sincere condolences to you and your family on the immeasurable loss you've suffered. Please accept my deepest and heartfelt sympathies.Mark Golembieski"
"I always found Kelsey and your family to be an inspiration! Seeing her on a daily basis made my day as a principal. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!Natalie Huppee"
"John and Heidi O'Connor purchased the Pink Tribute Spray for the family of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor."
"I am very saddened to hear of Kelsey 's passing. I will always remember her beautiful smile, and her laugh, during my time with her Aquidneck school. She was a trooper! :heart_eyes:Diane Furtado"
"Condolences Jack to you and your family. You are in my thoughts!Julie Burns"
"My sincerest condolence to you and your family. We will keep you in our prayers.Marshall Cook"
"My condolences to you and your family. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prays."
"Thinking of you and your family Jack. My deepest condolences."
"So sorry to hear about Kelsey. If anyone could put a smile on your face, it was Kelsey! The whole family was a model of positivity and inclusion. RIP Kelsey, I know you are already creating smiles in heaven!"
"Your family has always inspired us. We used your example in our times if need. Kelsey will always be in our memory."
"Rest in peace, Kelsey. You and your family have been an inspiration to so many by your example of courage, fortitude, and love. We will keep you all in our prayers. The Merkel Family"
"Chyleene, Jack and Family: We are so sorry to hear this sad news. We will always remember the standing ovation Kelsey received at her high school graduation! Kelsey was well known and loved! Please know that you're in our thoughts and prayers.The Springetts"
"RIP Kelsey:two_hearts: Your memory will live on in the hearts of many. God bless your family :pray::skin-tone-2:You will be missed and not forgotten. That smile lit up every room you entered. Prayers for strength going out to your family."
"Chyleene, Jack and family, so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We will always remember Kelsey's bright and cheerful smile. God Bless. Love the Tierno Family"
"Chyleene and Jack, and family, Watching you with Kelsey, usually at church, was a continuing lesson of patience and love for us. We are deeply saddened for you; yet we are sure that you have an abiding certainty that you could not have loved her more than you did! Kelsey lived a good life, with a Great family! Love, Colleen and Paul Graf"
"i light a candle in memory of Kelsey o Conner and my condolences go out to the family of Kelsey."
"Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you during this time and give your strength when you need it most."
"Maureenkesson lit a candle in memory of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor"
"I'm so very sorry for your loss. Its so hard to believe! She brightened all our llives."
"Deborah Everett lit a candle in memory of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor"
"Vicki lit a candle in memory of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor"
"Claudia Cooper lit a candle in memory of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor"
"Ann M Pierce lit a candle in memory of Kelsey Flynn O'Connor"