Kelly Anne O'Hara

Kelly Anne O'Hara of Carpentersville, IL passed away peacefully September 10, 2025, at Advocate Sherman Hospital. She valiantly fought a 2-year battle with Primary Liver Cancer which intensified over the past 5 months causing many complications and hospitalizations.

Kelly was born January 11, 1968, in West St. Paul, Minnesota to James J O'Hara and Susan L O'Hara (Weber). She grew up in St. Charles, IL and graduated from St. Charles High School in 1986. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University, which is where her parents attended and met. She was a proud member of the Marching Band in both high school and college where she made many lifelong friends. She majored in Psychology but later had a passion for Speech Therapy. She married Paul Czerlanis in 1993 and continued her education at Illinois State University where they lived. After moving to Minnesota, she earned her master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Minnesota State University. Kelly began her SLP career in Minneapolis Public Schools. After an amicable divorce, she moved back to Illinois where she worked within the Elgin area for School District U-46. She worked there as a Speech and Language Pathologist, and the SLP Lead for the district. After earning a second Master's Degree in Administration from Concordia University, she became a Special Education Administrator with the Early Childhood Department. She was with U-46 for over 20 years.

Kelly was very creative and channeled it into many quality crafting projects. Her greatest love was for quilting though she never met a craft she didn't try. Kelly loved traveling and had many adventures camping with her dogs but loved cruising with her sister the most. Highlights include the Caribbean Islands and Alaska. She loved the Cubs and the Bears -no matter their highs and lows. She was a great friend to all. Kelly's faith was very important to her, and she served in her churches in many ways, but her favorite time was working with children and showing the love of Christ with them by doing fun activities including many trips to the water park and providing enriching experiences. She loved those children, now adults.

Kelly is survived by her sister and best friend Nancy O'Hara, of St. Charles IL and many cousins across the country. In addition, Kelly was a loving dog mama to many lucky furry babies over the years. She had a heart for the rescue dogs and gave them their best life.

Kelly was preceded in death by her parents Jim O'Hara and Sue O'Hara (Weber), her aunt, several uncles and all grandparents.

Her sister would like to extend deep gratitude and appreciation to the entire 5B Oncology team and 2A Critical Care Unit at Advocate Sherman Hospital, especially all her nurses, doctors, nurse practitioners. and patient care technicians. They all provided exceptional physical and emotional care throughout Kelly's two-year cancer journey and most especially during her last intensive two weeks in their care. She is forever grateful for the love and support shown during this difficult time.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 pm on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Moss-Norris Funeral Home, 100 South Third Street, St. Charles Illinois. Her Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Chapelstreet Church South St. Campus, 2300 South Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134. Additional visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the start of service. Following the service there will be an interment for Kelly and her parents (Jim and Sue) at Whitney Cemetery in Campton Hills, IL. I am confident that at some time in the future, I will join them in Heaven and complete our core family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Liver Foundation or to her sister to help with funeral and probate costs.

For more information, contact Moss-Norris Funeral Home at (630) 584-2000 or www.mossfuneral.com