Kelly Elizabeth Sanneh

A Husband's Loving Tribute to His Beloved Wife,
A Word of Gratitude to Family and Friends
On December 19, 2023, my beloved wife Kelly Elizabeth Sanneh (née Graham) made her transition after a valiant nearly year-long battle with stage-4 metastatic pancreatic cancer. Kelly's fight against cancer may have physically taken its toll, but it never touched her essence. In fact, cancer merely amplified the remarkable woman she was.
So, where do I start? I guess I'll start with Kelly's love for all people. The stories of her kindness, compassion, and generosity are endless. She embodied what it means to be altruistic, "giving without expecting anything in return." We can all take a page from her selflessness. How fortunate and blessed are we all to have known her. I was always in awe of her boundless energy (she was the director of our family). She took things off our plates so we could realize our true potential as people. Even through her battle with cancer, she insisted that we keep shining a light of kindness and love in the world.
Kelly was the embodiment of living a joyful life, and she made our lives fun. Kelly also had a strong sense of adventure and traveled the world as a flight attendant. She shared her love of travel and exploration with her kids. We had the opportunity to travel as a family and create unforgettable memories. She wasn't a person to sit around but made the most out of every day. I guess she knew in her spirit that her time was limited, so she made sure we didn't put off what we could do today until tomorrow, because tomorrow isn't promised.
The last year of Kelly's life was the worst/best year you can imagine. The worst because we knew the inevitability of advanced cancer, but it was also the best because it drew our entire family and community together in ways we never dreamed. We had time to process, reflect, and be with each other, living everyday as if there were no tomorrow. We had a chance to show and tell Kelly daily how much we loved her, which sustained her through her battle.
This is for our kids Aliyah, Isabella, and Graham about handling loss: our physical presence is temporary, but that which makes us who we are and animates us goes on infinitely. Our soul marches on. When you miss mom recall all the great memories and I guarantee you'll have a smile on your face (that's mom talking to you. Mom is hilarious). We were fortunate to get to talk to mom about life and she helped us all come to grips with the inevitable. She taught us a lesson in courage, strength, and resilience fighting through all the tests, treatments, and procedures so she could be here with us. She taught us how to be brave and fight in the face of adversity, and to be grateful for every day even with life's uncertainties and challenges.
We are so lucky mom stayed home with you as you were growing up, and you had the chance to learn many life's lessons, get showered with love, and experience innumerable adventures. She always wants the best for you and for you to be a force for kindness, grace, and generosity. She wants us to take care of and watch over each other as she did. You are a reflection of your mom and are fantastic human beings. Keep living your lives to the max and make a positive difference in this life. The love mom and I have for you is endless. We will get through this difficult time together. You have a wonderful extended family with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents who adore you. Our friends and community have shown tremendous support and will continue to do so. We've all got your backs.
Anyone Kelly met became a part of her family and she would do anything for you. The outpouring of love from family and friends is a testament to Kelly's giving nature. It was a miracle with the severity of Kelly's cancer that she lived as long as she did. I firmly believe it was the power of your love and the countless prayers from all over that helped pull her through. I simply can't thank our family and friends enough. We love you and may God bless you.
Kelly was not only my wife but my best friend and confidant. We have a love for each other that transcends this lifetime. I can't express how much I'll miss our long discussions, raising our kids together, our adventures, and the laughs we shared. Although we didn't get to grow old together and explore the country in an RV when we retired as planned, we packed in more than a lifetime of memories in our 24 years together. How fortunate was I to journey through life with Kelly. I'll always love you, Kelly, and my heart aches at the thought of going through life without you, but I'm comforted knowing that you are no longer in pain and are at peace. You will always be my princess and I your prince, as you called me. May God have and hold you always, my precious.
Kelly's Loving Husband,
Pap Morro Sanneh
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Kelly leaves behind to celebrate her memory her devoted husband of 22 years Pap Morro Sanneh and their three beautiful children Aliyah, Isabella, and Graham; her sisters and brothers: Angie McNeeley, Pauline (Kevin) Graham-Traun, Kevin (Sherri) Graham, Ryan (Dani) Graham, and Katie Graham Zimmerman; her nieces and nephews: Shane, Taylor, Michael, Elias, William (Jennifer), Damari, Elyana, Orion, Julian, Griffin, Grayson, Skylyr, Samantha, Christopher, Jilli, Alli, Cori, Madi, Seij, Haven, and Juilian; her mother- and father-in-law: Joann and Sidi Sanneh; her sisters-in-law: Fatuma, Aji-Mallen, and Sainabou Sanneh; a host of relatives; a community of steadfast friends in Woodbury; and dear family and friends from across the United States and beyond, including in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, The Gambia, and England. Kelly is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Louise Graham. A gathering will be held from 5-7pm, Wednesday, December 27th at O'Halloran and Murphy Funeral Home, 8700 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN and at 10am, Thursday, December 28th, with an 11am Memorial Service at Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Rd, Woodbury, MN. A private committal will take place later.
For those who wish to do so, the family requests donations in memory of Kelly Sanneh to Pancan.org in lieu of flowers.
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