Kelly O'Dell Obituary

O'Dell

Kelly O'Dell

On the morning of Tuesday January 2, 2024, Kelly O'Dell suffered a sudden and fatal cardiac arrest caused by complications from her ovarian cancer. Born September 12, 1958, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Kelly earned her B.A. from University of Colorado, Boulder but her fondest college memories were her first two years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Kelly subsequently earned law degree from Cornell University Law School in 1987. There she met her husband, Daniel Porter, and they embarked on a remarkable 36 year partnership. Appreciated for her fierce intellectual curiosity, her empathy for the down-trodden, her tenacity for advocating for consumer rights, not to mention her elegant entertaining, Kelly has left a legacy of rich memories. But the legacy in which she had the most pride is her children, in whom she delighted with every fiber of her being.

Kelly is survived by her husband Daniel L. Porter; sons Sam and Isaac Porter (Mimi), daughter Tessa Porter; sisters in-law Deborah and Laura Porter (Kevin Pearce); nephews Walter Pearce (Yun), Stephen Pearce; nieces, Bobbie Pearce, Simone Porter.

At her wishes, the family intends to hold a celebration of Kelly's life later this year.

We invite you to share your memories of Kelly at this memorial page www.legacy.com Your stories and reflections will serve as a comfort to all who loved her.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 9, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Kelly O'Dell

9 Entries

January 1, 2025

k e l l y

Thabile Ngcobo

April 16, 2024

I was an aupair for Kelly and Dan. My condolences to Tessa Sam and Issac and Dan. Kelly taught me everything I know about the United States. Thabs"

Julie Anderson

February 1, 2024

Julie Anderson

February 1, 2024

Julie Anderson

February 1, 2024

Kelly was a great friend of mine from grade school at St. Mary´s through high school at Green Bay East. Here are a couple of cheerleading pictures we had together. I tried finding her over the years, but was not successful. I really missed her. Wish I could have known her all these years longer.
The picture from St. Mary´s with the red A: Kelly is in the back row on the left and I´m in the back row on the right. In the black-and-white East picture: I am doing the splits on the left and Kelly is doing the splits in the middle. We sure had fun!

Robert DeFrancesco

January 22, 2024

Dan and family, LeAnne and I wanted to express our deepest condolences. We are very sorry for your loss and will keep you all in our prayers.

Douglas Vann of Vann Landscapes

January 18, 2024

Oh My Goodness! I am so surprised and saddened to read this. So sorry for Dan´s and the children´s losses.

I will always recall and miss Kelly´s candor and senses of humor. We mutually enjoyed venting upon each other at our seasonal meetings.

She was always more genuinely appreciative than most, of our efforts at their home and property. My core employees send regards as well.

Rest peacefully, and with Ovi.

Deborah Porter

January 9, 2024

I have so many wonderful quintessentially Kelly memories, it is truly difficult to choose, but I thought I'd share a few to illustrate the multiple ways her inimitable spirit touched me.

First time I met Kelly she greeted me with her famous chili and her dog Freud. I loved how they came as a unit, and loved Freud's loyal and gentle temper.

Shopping for Kelly's wedding dress with lots of champagne, and her very clear preference for a non-traditional style. She was a good sport and tried on some dresses she thought were ludicrous just for fun. In the end, she found a gorgeous, cream silk art-deco dress, which fit her and her vision like a glove!

Kelly's grace and grit when confronted with a tragedy suffered by her new family; her natural assumption of unforeseen responsibilities, her full-hearted collaboration with Dan, all of these qualities exemplify what we love about Kelly.

Lastly, but not least, every single time I had the opportunity to talk with Kelly in person, she would raise, at least once, how astonished she was at the fact that she lived such a contented life, rich with the knowledge that her love for her family was reciprocated.

Thanks Kell, we miss you.

Tessa

January 9, 2024

Love you Mom

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