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Kelly Kearns Obituary
Kelly believed in extending compassion and acceptance to all - most especially to underserved communities. She lived these values through her Catholic faith and her career as a social worker, most recently with Rocky Mountain Human Services. A native of Gainesville, Florida, she held bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from Florida State University, and a juris doctor degree from Florida International University.
She was an avid Notre Dame football and college sports fan. She enjoyed baking, cooking, reading, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. She was an independent spirit who always had a positive outlook on life no matter the circumstances. She practiced gratitude daily and inspired others to do the same. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Kelly was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Kearns, and her beloved Chihuahua, Puppy. She is survived by her father, John Kearns, of Monument, Colorado, who will miss his "Pooh"; her devoted brother and sister-in-law, Sean and Debbie Kearns, of Aurora, Colorado; her cherished niece and nephew, Kaylyn and Owen Kearns, both of Aurora, Colorado; and several loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A Memorial Mass and reception will be held Monday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 19099 E. Floyd Avenue in Aurora.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Kelly's memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org, or to the FSU Foundation to fund academic scholarships in social work. Give online by visiting https://give.fsu.edu/KellyKearns or mail to the FSU Foundation: 325 W. College Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32301. Include Kelly Kearns (F07526) on the memo line.
Kelly's family wishes to thank her RMHS colleagues for their love and support, and to her medical teams at Kaiser Permanente, St. Joseph's Hospital and The Denver Hospice for their compassionate care.
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Stephen Bernstein
October 28, 2022
John I was shocked and dismayed to hear of your loss. I can´t imagine
Please know that my entire family sends our love and support. Stephen, Teresa, Kai, Nathan and HalcieBernstein
Alexis Caffrey
July 5, 2022
I'm so very sorry to the Kearn family for your loss. Such a beautiful, sweet soul gone too early. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Carlos Collins
June 20, 2022
One of my favorite memories of Kelly is the day we walked into the pet shop after lunch and she saw Puppy for the first time. When we walked over to the cage where they were keeping Puppy, she was standing next to me.
The shop owner took Puppy out of her cage and handed her to me, it took 3 or 4 seconds. Before I could turn around, Kelly had run out of the store. Her reaction was so unexpected.
We laughed so hard that day, Kelly told me she could not play with Puppy because she was too adorable. Kelly was almost in tears. I tried to get her to come back in the store, but she wouldn't.
In her defense, Puppy was very cute when she was actually a puppy. A couple of days later, Kelly told me she dreamed about Puppy and was going back to the store to get her. I told her to go for it!
Kelly brought so much joy to my life. Over the years, we had so much fun. She was a great friend who gave so much to the community. During the time we worked together at the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, I learned so much from her about compassion and what it really means to help other people.
I still don't want to believe Kelly is gone. She would want us all to remember the good times, which doesn't make her passing hurt any less.
I send my prayers and condolences to the Kearns family. Kelly will truly be missed.
Jenn Trav & Bella Wilson
June 15, 2022
Sending love and prayers! Kelly will be missed but never forgotten. I hope we all find peace knowing she is will our Heavenly Father. XOXOXO Jenn, Trav & Bella.
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Cedric Graham
June 15, 2022
I never met someone as positive, giving, careless, thoughtful, and an impact to my life as Kelly. I am so sorry for your loss. I think about you everyday. I have learned so much from you. You got called home way to early. GO IRISH! GO NOLES!
Brooke, Mike & Olivia
June 9, 2022
You will forever be in our hearts. Rest easy Kelly.
Adriane Isenberg
June 9, 2022
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter, Johnny. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Christina Deeb
June 9, 2022
Debbie, you, Kelly and your family are in my prayers during this very hard time. I hope for peace for your family!
Natalie Lyle Moore
June 9, 2022
Such a wonderful, supportive friend and coworker! You are greatly missed!
Kat Machinski
June 9, 2022
Kelly, I will forever remember our flying rubber finger chicken wars over the cubicles at RMHS. I will miss your humor and wit. Rest easy my friend.
Tim and Jennifer Zedalis
June 9, 2022
Dear Johnny, Sean, Debbie, Kaylyn, and Owen, there are no words to express how much we love you and how heartbroken we are. We remember Kelley as the lovely little girl at our wedding, tagging along with her big brother and lighting up the world with her amazing smile. That seems like yesterday. We are all enriched from her presence in the world. We are sending you love, sympathy, and the biggest hugs.
Katie Gleason
June 9, 2022
The greater the love the greater the loss- I know the tremendous love Johnny has for his family so I know the magnitude of the loss is immeasurable. Praying for you my friend - how lucky for her that you were her father - a fine man of character and class. Love ya and ALWAYS here for you
Jodi Litfin
June 9, 2022
My heart goes out to your family. I had the honor of knowing Kelly through her work at RMHS. She could absolutely light up a room with her smile and always had such terrific energy. Her passion and compassion always shone through. I especially appreciated her irreverent sense of humor. She will be missed and remembered always by her team here as well as the many children and families whose lives she touched. May peace be with you during this difficult time, and my her memory be a blessing.
Stacy A. Scott
June 9, 2022
Johnny, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Everyone at the office is thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. We love you.
Jina Zhou
June 9, 2022
I'm in complete shock that Kelly is gone - I thought that I would have time to get back in touch with her...Kelly was one of my best friends in high school and we got each other through some rough times and made each other laugh. We lost touch after high school since I went to Boston and she went to Tallahassee, but she remained very special to me. I was thinking of having a zoom call with her and our old group of friends during COVID and now deeply regret not initiating that. Kelly was luminous, super giving of her time, mischievous, a great listener, but far too hard on herself at the same time. Our group of friends loved Kelly. She would light the room up with her smile and give the best hugs. She meant far more to me than I expressed to her, but I like to think that she knew anyway. I'll always have fond memories of our time in Gainesville, going over to her house and celebrating birthdays together. I can't believe this has happened, and really wish I reached out to her earlier so that I could have visited her. Much love to Kelly's family.... Jina
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