**Written and uploaded by the Kelsey family 

Catherine Santos Kelsey, 52, of Flower Mound, Texas passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 20,2023 after a 15 month battle with ovarian cancer.  She was born on August 26, 1971 in San Diego, California to a Navy family and in a Naval Hospital.  Cathy was a beloved wife, daughter, mother and sister and friend to many.

Cathy attended Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, TX and where she graduated in 1989 in the top ten in her class.  Following graduation she attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and was commissioned an officer in the Navy in 1993. Cathy served in several Navy squadrons including VT-23, VT-28 and VAQ-129 as an Administrative Officer, Legal Officer and Training Officer.  Following those tours she returned to Texas and spent several years as a Navy Recruiting Officer in Dallas.  She rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, USNR before completing her military service.

Cathy spent the next 13 years raising her three wonderful children and being a strong advocate for Navy Spouses as her husband was deployed or away in military training.  She later earned her Masters in Education from University of North Texas and fulfilled her passion and became a full time High School science teacher for over seven years.

In her free time, Cathy was an extraordinary cook, mastering healthy eating and professional looking baked goods.  Her talents were awe inspiring and her finished products were works of art.  She also was an exercise beast, running marathons (including qualifying for Boston in 2018), was a kick boxing instructor at Gold’s gym for years and just last year earned her certification as a Yoga instructor.  She also was super-mom, where the kids were her world.

She is survived by her husband of 29 years, John “Chip” Kelsey and their three children; Chloe (and Tucker), Joey and Lizzy.  She is also survived by her parents Tony and Lolita Santos of Corpus Christi, Texas as well as her three sisters, Amy Santos of San Antonio, Texas, Ellen Leach of Flower Mound, TX and Diane Lantagne of Magnolia, Texas. Her nieces and nephews include, Cassandra and Pancho, Jasmine and Carlos, Ariel and Thomas, Jett and Emily and Skye, Eva, Mya, Blake and Bo.

Above all, Cathy will be remembered for her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.  Her life was a testament to the profound impact that faith can have on one’s character and actions.  She lived with a deep and abiding trust in Christ, finding solace and strength in her relationship with Him.  Cathy’s dedication to her beliefs was evident in her compassion for others, her acts of kindness and her unshakable optimism, even when facing long odds.  Cathy leaves behind a legacy of faith that inspired our family and uplifted all who had the privilege of knowing her.  She was a reminder of the transformative power of a life grounded in the love of Jesus Christ.

Cathy “discovered” Fellowship Church when we moved to the area in 2018.   Our family found it to be a beacon of love, community and spiritual growth and a place that has profoundly enriched our lives and changed them for the better.  She would be honored knowing that her celebration of life was held in the place she felt most at peace.

Cathy will be buried on Monday, October 30 at 9:15am at DFW National Cemetary, followed by the celebration of her life at 11:30 at Fellowship Church at 2450 N Hwy 121 in Grapevine, TX.