From Mary, Richard and Kimberlee,
It has been three years today since Kelli passed away. The sadness we feel is still often overwhelming and it rarely leaves us. However, we now understand the sadness is not only about our loss but about Kelli’s as well. It is all the life experiences she should have had, the positive differences she could have made in so many lives and the joy, friendship, love and pleasure she would have continued to bring to others.
We recently received a note from a grade school classmate of Kelli’s-someone we have not seen or heard from in over 30 years. Better than any words we can write, it represents how very special Kelli was to so many who were blessed to know her even when she was so young:
“I am sending you a note to share with you my memories of your wonderful sister. There are very few who left an impression on me at Fleming, but Kelli, I remember so vividly. From kindergarten on, I remember her being so actively involved and engaged in her surroundings. Since your last name starts with A, she was always the first or one of the first in line when we would leave the classroom, and regardless, she liked to be first. She knew the answer to every question the teachers posed, her hand would shoot up, straight as an arrow until called upon. She was a good girl. Not sucked in by drama or gossip or any other distractions that overtake elementary school girls and boys. Unfailingly, we were in the same class, year after year. Kelli was great in dodge ball (I was always terrified of being knocked on my butt when she had the ball). She was teacher's pet, she liked to be and she tried to be, which didn't necessarily earn my respect (at those tender ages). But then again, never, ever did I meet a more compassionate soul than Kelli Auletta. So much so, that I have felt compelled since I heard about her death to find you and share with you what she did for me, because it was so, so remarkable, and it shaped me. Before her death, I had wondered about her, and I knew that she had and would accomplish great things, and I was and am so saddened to hear that she was taken from us too soon.
We had grave differences in elementary school, she was the consummate over-achiever who was (infuriatingly) first at everything and I was the rebellious under-achiever who was always last...
Overall, we kept a respectful distance from each other, not having much in common, though I can't impart enough how vivid and specific my memories are of her... My grandfather died when we were in fifth grade... For whatever reason, I came to school the following day. When the teacher asked what was wrong, I burst into tears in the classroom and informed the class what had happened. Kelli raced over to me and put her arms around
me. When the teacher excused me to go to the bathroom, she came with me, stayed with me, wiped my tears and assisted me while I washed up. The rest of the day she stayed right by my side. The following year, sixth grade, during homeroom, someone placed a record album under my chair without my knowledge, and then accused me of stealing it. The whole class (as I recall it) began pointing fingers and ganging up on me, and no one believed me. I was totally innocent, and totally overwhelmed by the accusations, and ran into the bathroom to cry. In came your sister in seconds, hot on my trail, to comfort me, to tell me she believed me, and to stand up for me and defend my honor to the class. She was the only one. She made me feel less alone on what felt (at the time like the worst, most humiliating day of my life. Your sister, incredible leader, non-comformist, brave soul, wise beyond her years, compassionate, kind,... What she did for me on those days stays with me to this day. As I read this I cry. I feel the pain of such a monumental loss, and for the gifts that she gave me during those tender years which will always stay with me.”
Three years later it is still surreal and hard to believe Kelli is gone. It is often bittersweet-the joy of Kimberlee’s wedding to a lovely man, her impending parenthood, our about to become grandparents and not being able to share it with Kelli who we know would have been so very excited.
Bless all of you who keep in touch and please continue to share your memories of Kelli with us.
Remember-No one ever dies until they are forgotten!
With much love,
