Kelley Elizabeth Shea

Kelley Elizabeth Shea January 4, 1988 – December 12, 2015 Our dear sweet Kelley – Compassionate, radiant, adventurous, respectful, genuine – died on December 12, 2015 at home. Kelley, who was 27 years old, was the daughter of James and Nancy Shea, sister of James and Connor and fiancé of Spencer Kushner. Kelley is also survived by 16 cousins, 10 aunts and uncles and two grandmothers, Mary Shea of Hingham and Phyllis Phelan of Vancouver, Canada, as well as many close friends. Kelley was born and grew up in Brookline, MA, attending Heath Elementary School and Brookline High School before studying at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. She graduated in 2010 with a double major in Neuroscience and Art History – the perfect combination that fit Kelley's blend of keen intelligence and artistic talent. She was athletic - participated in swimming, hockey and crew while in school and loved to ski. At college she met the love of her life, Spencer. Despite the fact that they had only known each other for several months when she was diagnosed with cancer, he stayed by her side (and made sure she had fun) throughout her illness. Kelley and Spencer became engaged two nights before her death. Kelley worked in the fashion industry in New York City and as a media strategist for the Meredith Corporation. While engaged with her fulltime professional responsibilities she traveled back and forth between Boston and New York for treatment. She never let her illness define her or interfere with her full social schedule, including travels, art and fashion. Most people with whom she interacted did not know she was sick. What they saw was Kelley's passion for life infused with a unique honesty, sense of humor, determination, kindness and loving spirit that inspired and brightened the lives of everyone around her. Thank you to the many caregivers at Dana Farber and Memorial Sloan Kettering who guided us on this journey, as well as wonderful family and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Kelley's funeral service at 1 pm on Friday, December 18, at St. Ignatius, 28 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to STUPID CANCER. http://stupidcancer.org/kelleyshea