In Loving Memory

Kelsey Lynn Kramer

October 8, 1994 - September 23, 2011

Forever Strong, Forever Loved, Forever in Our Hearts

A Letter from Mom

Dear Kelsey,

I have been asked to share my thoughts about you and your life so people have a better understanding of Kelsey Kramer. I have so many thoughts and so much to share. So how and where do I begin…so the beginning seems natural. Kelsey, one day I had hoped that you would become a mom and I had planned to share a journal that I kept for you from the day you were born through your first birthday. Each day, I wrote in this journal about you, Kelsey, what you did, what milestone you achieved and how wonderful it is to have you as a daughter in our lives. I am so sorry that I didn't share this with you sooner and that you will never have the opportunity to read these words yourself.

So, I am going to share with you the words that I wrote on the day you were born:

"Welcome to the world Kelsey Lynn Kramer-October 8th 1994, Saturday 1:32PM. After 20 hours of difficult labor and you arriving over one month early, mommy and daddy have their beautiful, precious, little girl. You are so tiny. Only 5lb 12oz. All of your features are so delicate and petite. Because you were premature, the doctors initially whisked you away to make sure you were okay. They soon brought you back to us and told us that you're perfect and healthy. For the next few hours, mom and dad just held you and stared at you in awe. Our beautiful, healthy baby girl-our angel. We both were hoping for a daughter and now our family is complete. A son and a daughter to love and to cherish and a lifetime of beautiful memories to begin."

Kelsey, despite many obstacles, you were determined to enter this world and so it is only fitting that this determination allowed you to become such a beautiful, vivacious, confident, loving and caring person. My spontaneous, energetic girl who loved life and lived for every moment in life. You were my outgoing, friendly social butterfly. Your happiness came from within but it radiated out to all who you shared it with and you shared it with everyone each and every day of your life. Those sparkling eyes and that beautiful smile are imprinted in our minds forever.

Kelsey, you always had such an air of confidence along with that determination. I often described you to others as my strong willed girl with attitude. Certainly, if Kels, set her mind on doing something, somehow, someway she made it happen. Kels, you always found a way to do it and do it well. You have accomplished and done more in your 16 years than many hope to achieve in a lifetime. That competitive, determined nature was strongly embedded in all that you did and accomplished and certainly you demonstrated this each and every day throughout your life whether it was on a soccer field, a dance floor, a classroom, or a debate at the dinner table.

Since you were a little girl, Kelsey, you have been courageous,inquisitive and full of wonder. Always seeking to engage in new things and new discoveries, no matter what it took to make it happen. It has been a privilege and an honor to have watched you evolve into such a beautiful, strong and independent young lady. Kelsey, you lived your life being forth-right and honest. You were a person of strong character and integrity. You believed that honesty was the best policy and you lived your life by that virtue. I have always respected the fact that you were truthful and honest no matter what the circumstances or consequences. People certainly knew where they stood with you as you always shared your honest opinion. At times, it wasn't very easy to be honest with yourself and with others but you believed that people should always hear the truth. You expected the same from others and respected people for being honest even if it was difficult to hear at the time. Kelsey, you certainly were not perfect for no one is. You certainly made your share of mistakes but you learned from them, developed as a person and moved forward with life. Your experiences both good and bad shaped and molded you into a very special girl and someone that your dad and I are extremely proud of.

One of the special traits that stands out about you is your compassion and sense of caring for others. Kelsey, you were always there for everyone, your mom, dad, brother, family and friends. You had the ability to put others before yourself. You went out of your way for others and made a difference in the lives of those you cared about. With your friends, I use to think of you as "Dear Abby." I was amazed at the number of friends that confided in you, sought out your advice and put their trust in your hands each and every day. You were a trusted confidant and a true and loyal friend to many.

Kelsey, you inspired and motivated others to believe in themselves and to live life. You certainly had many, many gifts but your gift of caring, listening and being there for others is one of your greatest attributes. Kelsey, I truly believe you lived each and every moment of your life.. It was a life of non-stop action from the very beginning. You never sat still, never wanted to miss out on one single thing or one single moment of any day of your life. You lived life and lived with no regrets. Kelsey, I recently found a journal that you wrote when you were 13 years old and the last entry that you wrote was, "I am going to live today like it is my last day." Well Kelsey, I truly believe you embraced that ideal and lived and loved life. You sought out the joy in life and were motivated from within. You drew upon your emotional strength, the core of your foundation & being, and you were driven by your life motto of "Forever Strong" to guide you through life's path. Through this you made your impact on our lives and on the world. Kelsey, you certainly have made a difference and left your imprint on the world.

Your brother, Kyle, shared these words at your service and I really feel he captured your essence.
"Kelsey was a very special girl. She had a smile that could light up a room. She had a warming, exciting, loving one of a kind personality that could bring life and laughter to anyone. She was beautiful, smart, athletic, funny and so much more. Despite all these wonderful gifts that God had given Kelsey, it's not these gifts that define you, it is what you do with these gifts that really defines a person. And that's what really made Kelsey special."

Kelsey, your dad, Kyle and I are so very, very proud of you. A beautiful and loving daughter, sister and friend. You have touched so many hearts and so many lives in your 16 years. You truly lived and enjoyed each and every moment of your life. Kelsey, you lived life with no regrets. You embraced life and were driven each day by these two ideals –"Forever Strong" and that " Everything will be okay in the end; if it is not okay, then it is not the end." That spectacular personality has enriched all of our lives and will be a part of us forever Kelsey, I have been truly blessed to have had you in my life.. You are a rare and treasured gift. You are my beautiful daughter and I will cherish you all of my life. Kelsey, I love you, and I want you to know that being your mom has been my greatest joy.

Love, Mom

A Eulogy from Her Brother, Kyle

Kelsey was a very special girl. She had a smile that could light up a room. She was a light to the world. She had a warming, exciting, loving one of a kind personality that could bring life and laughter to anyone. It was something else. Kelsey had an affect on people that no one else had. She was beautiful, smart, athletic, funny and so much more. Despite, all these wonderful gifts that God had given Kelsey, it is not these gifts that define you it is what you do with these gifts that really defines a person. And that's what really made Kelsey special.

If Kelsey wanted to do something she did it. I remember once in her room, running into her list of things to do in 2011. Things like be nicer, go to the beach, find a job and stop cursing as much. This taught me 2 things. If Kelsey wanted to accomplish something and put her mind to it she could do it. But more importantly, she had goals, she wanted to do things, she wanted to live, and more then anyone she did. When I was home this summer, she always wanted to be out with her friends, go out to dinner, go to the beach or take the car and go drive somewhere just because she could. She always wanted to be doing something. Kelsey realized how short life was, how important it was to try to have fun as much as you can and she did.

I remember this time when we were little at the beach and she insisted on meeting this girl that she had seen there. She spent 20 minutes trying to catch a jellyfish just so she would have a reason to talk to this girl and become friends with her. That's just the type of person she was.

Whenever people think of Kelsey, they think of a good friend. Kelsey knew the value of friendship and a good friend and she wanted to be the best friend she could be to everyone. She'd be anyone's ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. She'd do anything for her friends, but she also loved her family too. She'd always know the right thing to say to my mom to provide her with emotional support. As a sister, she always believed in me, even if I had doubts about myself. Even in high school when I struggled to make friends, she still looked up to me as her big brother. Every time I had a milestone in my life that I had overcome, she was always proud of me. She always cared and she was always there for us.

Anyone you ask will always tell you that Kelsey was always smiling and, she was always happy. What people don't know about Kelsey is that a lot of things would make her upset, and she had a lot of doubts about herself. But she was determined not to let that get the best of her. She always preached emotional strength, and being strong. She got this from her mother, but she really lived by it. Whether it was dealing with a tough break up, a fight with her parents, or nasty gossip she was determined not to let it get the best of her. She was determined to be happy and strong, and show it to the world.

Kelsey was an amazing girl. She accomplished more in 16 years then many people have accomplished in 100 or a lifetime. She lived a life full of love, she made the most out of her life that she possibly could. I'll end it by saying this; Kelsey, you always looked up to me when you were younger. But I should have been the one looking up to you. I'm so proud of you Kelsey. I Love you and will miss you.

Love, Kyle

"Kelsey, you always looked up to me when you were younger. But I should have been the one looking up to you. I'm so proud of you, Kelsey."

- Kyle

A Eulogy from Her Uncle, Richard

I'm a father, husband, a son, a brother but, most importantly, today, I'm a proud uncle who is grieving.

Now I said proud, I'm proud because I have had the opportunity to be a part of Kelsey Lynn Kramer's life.

More so, I am proud of the lady that Kelsey has become. She had become this lady because of the environment that she had been raised in. The friends that she kept and the spectacular personality that enriched all of our lives.

As an uncle, you are a spectator on the side lines. I Watched Kelsey kick her way into the world. Kick her way with passion for everything that she did. Kick her way into excellence. Kick her way into our hearts and watched her Kick a few soccer balls too.

I am also a fan, a fan of Bill and Lori, who raised two tremendous children. An aspiration that I hope to fulfill myself, half as well as they have. Look at (Kelsey's brother) Kyle; poised, intellectual and athletic. Bill and Lori didn't just do it once, they did it twice! Wow, these Kramers, raise good kids!

Being a Pennsylvania boy myself, I know the good hearty stock that we have here. I have lived all over the country, many places in the world and travelled many others but nowhere else will you find the community as strong as one in Pennsylvania.

20 odd years ago, when Bill and Lori first decided to build their lives out here in East Nantmeal there were cows, fields, woods... not much else. Now look at it, what's happened? Change- new homes, townhouses, shops, restaurants, new road patterns, and what do good hearty stock do, they adapt, they change too. Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have another change afoot. We lost one of ours. Too young and so sad. But, we will adapt. It's time for another fresh start.

From the first day that I laid my eyes on Kelsey, I knew she was going to be a handful. I had a splendid time babysitting her and Kyle. Remember the hand cuffs? Kelsey hiding in her bed room all day and numerous other memories? Well, maybe these are stories for another time. Anyway, a handful, right? I could tell right away just from the gleam in her eyes and the toothless smile that she was special. The smile, which developed later, soon became a staple in all of our lives, an expectation, a smile that pierced the soul, knocked down boarders and invited all to experience a whimsical personality. It also became an obsession to Kelsey which amused me tremendously as I am sure it amused many of you.

I know my family is besides themselves. I can see that the community is besides itself. I have met many of Kelsey's friends over the past several days and we all are grief stricken. Her friends have made a great impression on me. Good friends are indeed priceless trusts.

To Kelsey's friends, promise not to let Kelsey go. Never forget the value that you make in your youth. Focus on your strengths and excel at them. Use her memory to help others. Use her memory to rule the passions in your life that Kelsey will never get to experience.

To the community, there is an invincible spirit that has watched one of theirs go far away. We here, in this room are the ones who cared if Kelsey lived or died. Remember, that she exceeded our hopes and expectations. Our wonder now is to what she could have been, our time might be running out, so use the memory of Kelsey Lynn Kramer to aspire to all the good that you can do. People are dying senselessly everyday. Don't let Kelsey be just another.

To my family, Gabi wanted me to remind you, Because of Kelsey Lynn Kramer, We will be forever strong.

To Bill, Lori and Kyle, we are all here for you and no matter how we try or think, we will never know the grave pain that you feel. I can't say when you will get better. I just know that you will. Kelsey demands it. And she always got what she wanted!

And now, In closing, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a cousin, a niece, a friend, a classmate, a teammate, a very special young lady lays down her head and sleeps peacefully. We kiss her gently on the forehead, we hug her, we wish her a restful sleep. We hug her and never let her go. We know that you are in a better place where these tragedies can't happen.
You will not fade away...

Kelsey Lynn Kramer, my niece and my inspiration.

Love, Uncle Rich (Richard Arnoldi)

Memories & Tributes

Words shared by those whose lives Kelsey touched

Poems Written for Kelsey

Words of love and remembrance shared by those who knew and loved Kelsey

Videos in Her Memory

A few videos created in loving memory of Kelsey

Share a Memory

Did you know Kelsey? We would love to hear your memories, stories, and the ways she touched your life. Share them below and help us keep her spirit alive.