Laura Marie Kelly

Laura Marie Kelly passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Laura was born on August 7, 1977, in Kansas City, MO the daughter of Donald and Virginia (Patton) Heiman. She lived in Lawrence all her life. Laura attended the University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. Laura married Wade Kelly on October 12, 2002, and together, they had two children, Henry, 15, and Georgia, 9. She worked as a Contracts and Proposals Administrator at Allen Press for over fifteen years. Laura had a passion for art, textiles, music, and nature. She was a maker of beautiful weavings, jewelry, and paintings, and surrounded her home with flowers and growing things.

Laura was an incredible mother, partner, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Her children and her family were the most important things in her life. In her final years, she faced immense physical challenges with perseverance and bravery. She was, is, and will forever be deeply loved. Her extraordinary kindness was felt by all who knew her.

Laura is survived by her husband, Wade, her two children, Henry and Georgia, her parents, her sisters, Anne, Susan, and Kelly, and her many nephews and niece.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered (FORCE), an organization that supports individuals with hereditary cancer risks, or the Patient Advocate Foundation, which provides case management services and financial aid to individuals with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, ‘Lawrence, KS 66044.