Kelly Marie Kenny, a devoted wife, daughter, sister, coach, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2025, in Andover, Massachusetts, at the age of 63. Born on April 8, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Sterling Heights, Kelly leaves behind a legacy of kindness, positivity, and unwavering spirit.

A standout athlete, Kelly was a four-year starting point guard at Oakland University, leading the Oakland Pioneers to the NCAA Final Four in 1982. Following her own success on the court, she became known as "Coach" and built an impressive career at several esteemed institutions, including Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University, Macomb Community College, Wayne State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Michigan, and Boston College. At Boston College, she transitioned from coaching to become the Director of Basketball Operations before ultimately serving as the Head Equipment Manager, where she passionately oversaw the needs of all 29 varsity sports teams. She retired in January 2019, leaving behind a grateful community of athletes and colleagues.

Beyond her professional achievements, Kelly was a cherished friend to many. Her warm heart, beaming smile, and incredibly positive spirit drew people to her, and she had a remarkable ability to make instant connections with those she met. She loved sharing good food with loved ones, with a particular fondness for pizza, donuts, and ice cream. Together with her wife, Terri, whom she married on April 30, 2016, and their close-knit circle of friends, Kelly embarked on countless adventures, including weekend motorcycle trips and explorations of lighthouses along the coast.

Kelly is predeceased by her father, Kevin Kenny. She is survived by her loving wife, Terri Mulliken; her mother, Donna Conroy; her cherished cat, Jack; her siblings, Kevin (Laurel) Kenny, Michael (Tammy) Kenny, Timothy Kenny, Colleen (Allen Riehl) Thompson, and Jim (Wendi) Kenny; and her nieces and nephew, Jenna, Jacob, Cory, and Emma.

In 2019, Kelly was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia at the age of 58. She faced this challenging illness with extraordinary grace and bravery. While the disease gradually altered aspects of her personality, it also revealed new dimensions to her character. She embraced a newfound sense of freedom, expressing herself with unfiltered honesty and developing a collection of memorable "Kelly-isms." Throughout it all, her love for basketball, her wife, her pets, and her friends and family remained steadfast.

A celebration of Kelly's life will be held, with details to be shared at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kelly's name to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) at www.theaftd.org.

Kelly will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those she touched with her kindness, her infectious smile, and her unwavering zest for life.

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