Carolyn Diane (Kelley) Vacanti
Rancho Mirage - Carolyn Diane (Kelley) Vacanti of Rancho Mirage, CA died on November 14, 2018 at UC San Diego from complications of Leukemia, which followed treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma a year prior. Carolyn was born in San Francisco on October 10, 1948 to Richard Kelley DDS (d2004) and Lylian (Tosetti) Kelley and was raised in Burlingame, CA. She graduated from Mills High School and had an Associate of Arts degree from the College of San Mateo in Cosmetology. She subsequently worked lifelong as a hair stylist. Carolyn married entertainer Nathan Vacanti (d2016) in 1972. They settled in Rancho Mirage almost 30 years ago.
Carolyn was the older sister of twins Diane Kelley MD of Novato and Richard Kelley Jr of Novato and Donna Kelley (d2009). She is also survived by their mother, age 95. Carolyn and her father were always happy that they shared their birthdays.
Carolyn was always described as beautiful, kind, sweet, and generous by all who knew her. She especially loved animals and owned many birds, rabbits, hamsters, and cats in her lifetime. She also fed neighborhood feral cats, wild birds, and rabbits. She is survived by her cat, Munchie, recently adopted.
A private memorial service was held December 29. Donations in her name may be made to The Palm Springs Animal Shelter or the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society of America.
Carolyn's family would like to acknowledge the profound professionalism, expertise, and kindness of all the staff of the ICU at The Jacobs Medical Center of UC San Diego.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by thedesertsun.com.
1 Entry
Carolyn was a good friend and neighbor. I miss her physical presence next door, but she will always be with me,
Roxcy Melton
January 13, 2019
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