With heavy hearts, we share the heartbreaking news that our wonderful colleague and dear friend, Kellie Connell, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous fight with metastatic melanoma. She leaves behind her husband and love of her life of 29 years, Jay Connell, two beautiful daughters, Madison Mendel and Kendra Riley, two sons-in-law, Jason Mendel and Cole Riley, her loving parents, Don and Carole Murphy, and her sister and lifelong friend, Kimberly (Murphy) Gomez.
Kellie was first diagnosed with early-stage melanoma 10 years ago. Unfortunately, even after the removal of the spot on her back, some cancer cells remained inside her body and recurred as a tumor in her lymph nodes. Kellie was diagnosed with melanoma for the second time in June 2021. The cancer did not respond to the immunotherapy treatment plan and continued to metastasize to Melanoma Stage 4.
Kellie joined Industrial Training Services in 2014. She held many positions at ITS but her longest and final role was Executive Assistant to the President & CEO. She was always lending a helping hand and going above and beyond for our team each day. Her never-ending positivity inspired us daily and has left a remarkable impact on our team and our clients.
Words cannot express how much Kellie meant to our ITS family. She was the glue that held us together, and we want to honor, remember, and celebrate her knowing that she is with the One that created her and is no longer in pain. Kellie loved her life, family, friends, and her God, and she was so very proud of the wonderful young women that she and Jay ushered into adulthood. Kellie’s life was shortened, but no less full of love and accomplishments. Today and always, may loving memories bring her sweet family and cherished friendships strength and comfort.
In Kellie’s memory, ITS has chosen the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House to be this year’s fundraiser recipient at our annual ITS User Conference. The Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House provides a place where terminally ill patients can end life’s journey in a comfortable, home-like setting. It offers an important option for people in need of end-of-life care and who cannot or prefer not to pass at home, in a hospital, or nursing home. Residential Hospice Houses offer a variety of services to meet the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of its residents, providing the best of life for the rest of life. Donations will help support the daily operational needs of this facility, one that took such great care of our Kellie in her final days.
How you can donate:
Clients who plan to attend the User Conference can purchase a ticket for our fundraising event at Brooklyn Bowl or, if you’d like to make a direct donation to the foundation, please mail a check to the following address:
The Foundation at MCCH
803 Poplar Street
Murray, KY 42071
Check Payable to: The Foundation at MCCH
Memo: Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Memory of Kellie Connell