Kelly Jean Gilson
What do you remember about Kelly? Share your stories and photos here, and invite others to come share their memories.
Kelly passed away in Charleston, South Carolina where she was attending the College of Charleston. Born in San Francisco and raised in nearby Lafayette, CA, she graduated from Robert Louis Stevenson High School in Pebble Beach, CA. Kelly is survived by her mother Catherine Blake, father Michael Gilson and sister Sarah Gilson, along with many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is predeceased by her paternal and maternal grandparents. From an early age, Kelly's goal was to help address social injustice and the problems associated with it. Her family and friends believe that she was placed on this earth to work with the less fortunate, particularly refugees impacted by war and conflict. When talking to others about these passions, her eyes would light up. By age 23, Kelly had studied and volunteered in third world countries such as Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Ghana, Cambodia, and Lebanon where she helped local communities in their struggle for a better life, especially the children who affected her so deeply. Her love of photography fit perfectly, as she was able to memorialize her travels and the people she met. Her charitable works didn't just take place abroad, but also close to home where she volunteered at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery and baked holiday pies for A Friendly Manor. Kelly faced an unexpected challenge in March of 2015 when she was seriously injured in a scuba diving accident during a spring break trip to Marathon, Florida. As a result of the accident, Kelly spent time in two hospitals over the course of a month, working to regain her mobility, addressing the longer-term emotional impact of her injury, and adjusting to a life with chronic neuropathy. Despite this obstacle, Kelly never lost her commitment to her long-term goals. Kelly will be remembered for her love of sports both as an athlete and a fan, especially attending games to cheer on the Oakland A's and the San Jose Sharks. She got along with people of all ages, and family friends were often impressed by how articulate she was from a young age. She developed a close friendship with her father's Air Force buddies, particularly Kevin "Pooh Bear" Brown. She was an avid fan of Harry Potter, something she shared with the rest of the family. Her sense of humor was remarkable, perhaps borne from a childhood of watching "Airplane!" and "Blazing Saddles" repeatedly with her father. We will all miss Kelly dearly. Let us treasure the many great memories of her we carry in our hearts while we carry on her good works. She is in God's hands now and her spirit lives on. May she rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held at St. Perpetua in Lafayette on October 16 at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bay Area Crisis Nursery, 1506 Mendocino Drive, Concord, CA. 94521. Website address: bayareacrisisnursery.org