Amanda Christine Kelley, 36, of Cary, North Carolina, passed into eternal life on July 28, 2021, in the loving presence of her mother and father. Amanda was born on March 28, 1985 in Huntington, West Virginia. She moved to Florida in August 1989 and began making friends immediately at Sacred Heart Catholic School. Amanda graduated from Saint Petersburg Catholic High School in May 2003 and quickly realized her calling to serve others. Amanda was blessed with the gift of making others feel beautiful about themselves.
Amanda began working at the reception desk at Somers and Company Salon when she was 15 years old. She greeted the guests with her enchanting smile, making them comfortable from the moment they entered the salon. Amanda worked closely with her mentor, Jill Somers, through the associate training program until she established her license and began cutting hair. Amanda received many graces through her vocation when someone was in her care. She absolutely loved when someone fell asleep while she was blow drying their hair. She cherished the moments when her clients closed their eyes when she was massaging their scalp. She was joyous with her finishing touch of removing the cape while seeing smiles of admiration. If you ever experienced Amanda’s gentle touch while under her care, you know exactly what I mean.
Amanda moved to North Carolina in early 2013 and immediately began establishing friendships with everyone she encountered. Amanda never met a stranger and people were always amazed at how comfortable they felt around her. She freely shared her love with everyone she touched so naturally Amanda found the perfect charity to serve her community. She chose Nathaniel’s Hope Buddy Break Program which was established to provide relief for parents of children with special needs. Amanda volunteered her loving nature to care for children so the parents could take a well-deserved break for the afternoon.
Amanda would be honored by a donation to this charity as she truly believed in providing respite to anyone struggling with challenges in this life.
Amanda loved so many people that it is impossible to recognize everyone. Amanda especially loved her family. As a middle daughter, Amanda looked up to her older sister and watched over her little sister with compassion and admiration. Amanda was blessed with a unique family with 4 loving parents. She expressed her love for each of us with a strong personal connection and unique, loving bond. Every single member of Amanda’s extended family loved her abundantly. Quite fittingly the name Amanda means worthy to be loved. With all certainty, we know that Amanda Christine Kelley lived up to the name that was chosen for her at birth. When she was older, Amanda specifically chose Saint Catherine Labouré as her Confirmation Saint simply because St Catherine cared for the sick, the elderly and the infirmed. Amanda’s generous heart touched the lives of everyone in her midst. In her final hours, Amanda continued her vocation of nurturing other people. Her parting contribution to this world was the precious gift of human life. Through a series of miraculous circumstances Amanda was able to save 3 lives through her generous gift of organ donation.
Amanda is survived by her father, Timothy Kelley and his wife, Wendy Kelley; her mother, Lilian Eshem and her husband, Gilbert Tottle; her older sister, Tracy DeWalt and her husband Wylie DeWalt and two nieces, Mary Alice DeWalt and Clara Jane DeWalt; her younger sister, Celine Eshem; her stepbrother, Jordan Tottle; and her beloved, furry best friend, Toby Wyatt Kelley.
A visitation will be held at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Clearwater, Florida on Saturday, August 7th from 10:00am to 11:45am. The Funeral Mass will take place at noon, followed by a reception honoring Amanda’s life. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and recorded for those who may not be able to attend. Details will be posted on the Brett Funeral Home website.
A Memorial Service will be scheduled in Cary, North Carolina in the near future.
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