Just after midnight on Thursday, March 26, 2015, heaven’s gates opened for a very special angel, Lauren Michelle Kelly. At her bedside to say good-bye were her parents, Loren David Kelly and Debbie Lynn Kelly, her brothers Steven (Jennifer), Jared Brooks, and her sisters, Tracie Eilerman (Mike), and Mary Beth Pagano (Matt).
Lauren was born on April 8, 1991, with a devastating genetic disease, cystic fibrosis (CF). In spite of her serious health condition, Lauren accomplished many things in her brief 23 years. She played softball and was the Red Birds 1999 Batting Champion. She had a short stint playing soccer, but had breathing difficulties due to all the running. She participated in gymnastics and dance through Showtime Productions.
Her greatest passion, though, was riding and showing paint horses. In the summer of 2010, she was named the winner of the American Junior Paint Horse Association Youth Member of the Year. She won a Gist belt buckle and a $1,000 scholarship.
She did not start showing horses until she was 13. She had allergies and due to her respiratory constraints, she was told that it was not wise to be around horses.
Lauren’s life mission was to make sure no one would look at her and say, “Yeah, that girl has CF.” To her, riding symbolized freedom and victory.
Lauren ran her own graphic design business, LMKdesign.org, which she founded when she was 13 years old. Many of her ads were featured in equine magazines.
She was a finalist in novice youth HUS at the APHA Youth World Show in 2008. Her last year in youth, she and Chaps (Sheik Sock Broker) were #5 in the nation in Youth 14-18 HUS.
As her health deteriorated, she focused on academics. She graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at Lewis and Clark Community College in December 2014 and was President of her class. She passed both her clinical and written board exams. She was a peer mentor to many students through both the Dental Assisting Program and the Dental Hygiene Program.
Her motto has always been to say, ‘I can do anything I set my mind to.’ She believed the only real barriers in life are ones that you put up for yourself. How high you have to climb to get over those barriers differs, but Lauren believed it could be done. Sadly, cystic fibrosis provided an insurmountable barrier and Lauren’s lungs failed before she could receive a lung transplant.
Lauren was passionate about being an organ donor. Her final gift was the gift of her kidneys. She was loved and will be remembered by family and friends throughout the United States. She has named her memorial as Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Gateway Chapter) for whom she did graphics work.
Funeral Arrangements for Lauren Michelle Kelly
Visitation Sunday, March 29th from 3 – 8 PM.
Funeral Service Monday, March 30th at 11 AM.
There will be no graveside services as Lauren requested cremation.
Pitchford Funeral Home
2555 Vaughn Road (Route 111)
P.O. Box 626 Wood River, Illinois 62095
Phone (618) 259-6462 | Fax (618) 259-2578
CLICK HERE for funeral home website
Lauren was an advocate for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She donated her time and talent to do graphics for them. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation. She would be appreciative.
Gateway Chapter
, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
8251 Maryland Avenue
, Suite 12
, St. Louis, MO, 63105
And if you are not an organ donor, please consider becoming one. When our life is no longer sustainable, how beautiful to give that gift of life to others.
Thanks to Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly for providing this information
UPDATE: From Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly on Friday, March 26, 2015
Dearest friends and family: Lauren Michelle Kelly wrote these words last night. “I want to live. I want to fight. But it is impossible.” She made it very clear that she gave it her best shot, but she just couldn’t fight any longer. She has joined the angel band of so many cysters who have gone home before her. But not before she left one last gift. Lauren was an organ donor and we ensured her wishes were fulfilled. She is a hero in every sense of the word. I will love you forever, beautiful girl!
UPDATE: From Lauren’s Friend, Stacie Lundquist on Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Heaven gained another angel. Absolutely heartbroken that my good friend Lauren Michelle Kelly has lost her long time battle with cystic fibrosis. She was such an amazing human being with so much talent, intelligence and full of love for her friends and family. Please keep her parents Debbie and Dave Kelly in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.
UPDATE: From Lauren’s family on Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Just to update everyone, Lauren is nearing the end of her fight with cystic fibrosis. Her platelets have dropped to levels incompatible with life. Lauren told family and physicians that she is tired of fighting. She will be sedated and then the vent and echmo will be dialed back. We all are at her bedside and will be here when she passes.
UPDATE: From Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly on Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Just arrived at the hospital (Tuesday, St. Patty’s day) to see Lauren: she had her bath and she is very tired. She used her iPAD to tell me that she gave her treatment doctors a goal of her birthday…(April 8th). I asked if the goal was for new lungs and she nodded yes. She had a pretty good day, but our big concern at this time is a blood infection. She has pseudomonas aeruginosa in her blood stream and she is resistant to most antibiotics. We just pray for God’s hand in all of this…thank you for the continued prayers. Love you all.
UPDATE: From Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly on Saturday, March 7, 2015
PRAISE! Lauren is awake and communicating with us today! All extremities are functional and she is coming off the morphine as we speak. We still have many hurdles but God has brought her this far. We trust Him to help us over a few more! I have to add that I am typing this with one hand as she has a death grip on my other hand and won’t let me leave her side!
UPDATE: From Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly on Friday, March 6, 2015
Lauren update for Friday morning: Lauren is on the schedule to have a tracheostomy this morning. This will enable us to wean her off the sedating medications. Will update as info becomes available. Love you all and appreciate your support, but most of all, the continued prayers.
More News: From Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly on Thursday, March 5, 2015
Lauren will be receiving a tracheostomy within the next few days. The purpose of a trach is to get her up and make her more mobile. She will require less sedation, we hope. But, again, with every procedure there are risks. So many things to go wrong, Lord. We have to entrust her to You.
More News: From Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly on Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Due to Lauren’s critical status, she is a 91 on a 0-100 scale for a lung transplant. That means she has more opportunity to receive a set of lungs. Unfortunately, due to frequent blood products received on the ECMO machine, her antibodies are 100% according to the transplant nurse. That means it will be difficult to find a set of lungs for her. Praying that it is God’s will that she receive a set of lungs.
New Update: From Lauren’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly, on Sunday, March 1, 2015
Lauren gave her consent to be intubated this morning. Her vitals are stable, but she grows weaker each hour. The plan is to intubate to give her some rest. The vent will breathe for her. Will move to a tracheostomy when possible, then start rehab for a lung transplant. So we have a plan. A difficult journey, but our little fighter is ready to do battle.
UPDATE: From Lauren Michelle Kelly on Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Huge thank you to everyone who has been sending me well wishes and prayers. I appreciate them more than you know! I’m still in ICU but stable. Procedure last night went fine. Please keep me in your prayers as I try to get off 15L of oxygen (normally on 0-2L) and get out of the Unit. Love you all!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Much loved horse show competitor, Lauren Michelle Kelly of Brighton, Illinois was admitted into the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis this past weekend with complications associated with her longtime fight with Cystic Fibrosis.
According to Kelly’s mother, Debbie Orban Kelly, Lauren will undergo an embolization procedure this week to stop the bleeding in her lungs.
Lauren is known as a fierce competitor and friend to many in the industry. She is a fighter and we pray for healing and a quick recovery.
