Kelsey Nielsen

Kelsey Colleen Nielsen exited this earth on Sunday, November 22, 2015.  She passed away choosing to leave behind her pain and depression through suicide.  She did not want to suffer in a life that no longer held any joy.  She had been dealing with Mal De Debarquement Syndrome for the past several years and ran out of fight.

Kelsey just happened to have written her own obituary over 20 years ago and her friend Aimee Davis had saved it all this time.  Below is Kelsey's obit:

"August 29, 1979, was a historical period in time.  For on that very day was the birth of Kelsey Nielsen, a strong, courageous, and downright sexy woman.  She faced many challenges in life but in time, finally led America to be the great Nation it is today.  O-Ya and she was very well respected too until her death in 2069 when she was caught in a house fire trying to save a dog."

Well, she didn't make it to age 90, but I don't think she would have liked old age.

Kelsey was born August 29, 1979, in Layton, Utah.  She lived in Layton through her school years, graduating from Layton High School in 1997.  In September of 1997 she married Dan Holly.  This marriage ended in January 1998.  She moved to Denver, Colorado for a time, then returned to live in Clearfield, Utah, and later she moved to Clinton, Utah.  She moved to Portland, Oregon in 2005.  A year later she returned to live in Clearfield, Utah, where she purchased a house and started her own business of grooming dogs and cats.  She was very successful in her grooming endeavors and she loved working with animals.

The things that were important to Kelsey were fun, friends, family and furry animals.  Kelsey's middle name was FUN.  In fact, by the time Kelsey was in 2nd grade the teachers were calling her class of kids the party class, and this moniker continued until the class graduated.  Kelsey could have fun anywhere, even if it was just telling Yo Mama jokes with Kathleen in NY on the subway, until people begged them to stop.  In order to keep up with Kelsey and be in her posse of friends, one needed to have a lot of stamina. They were always on the go, with plays, parties, traveling, cruises and just hanging out. Her biological family aside, her handpicked chosen family of friends were the most important people in her life. The list includes Kathleen Nelson, Marcus Mendez, Gary Atwood, Mike and Amanda Holbrook, Topher Ryan, Brian and Sammy Weese, Mike and Crystal Jesperson, Patricia and JB, John Carlson, Brad Wilkerson, Carrie and Keith Norris, Aimee Davis, Katrina Carlson and April Miller.

Kelsey was a champion of any animal in need.  She supported many animal charities and donated her time to charities.  She would groom an animal for free to make the dog or cat look beautiful so it could have a chance to be adopted.  She never saw a cat that wasn't soooooo cute.  The loves of her life were her Pomeranian Napoleon, and her cats Mushu and Molly.  She would rescue animals and find them good homes.  Her heart was full of love for shelter animals and she encouraged everyone to adopt from the shelters rather than buy from pet stores.

She is survived by her mother, Colleen Terry Nielsen, father Randy Nielsen, sister Lindsay Nielsen Baird, sister Brandi Nielsen Rawson, brother-in-law Rusty Rawson, niece Kiley Rawson, nephew Kayden Rawson and nephew Bryson Baird, grandmothers Zelda Terry and Effie Barnes.  She is also survived by her aunt Carma King.  Kelsey was very close to Carma and would often consult with her on various topics.  She is survived by other aunts and uncles that she was close to: Stan and Cheryl Terry and their extended family, Dennis and Elsa Terry and their extended family, Marlene and George, Scott and their extended family.

She was preceded in death by her grandfathers Dilworth Terry and O. J. Barnes, uncle Jerry King, aunt Jean Terry, and cousins Michael King and Ryan Chilton.

There will be a Candlelight Vigil held on Wednesday, December 2nd.  More details about this are below:

A Celebration of Kelsey’s Life will be held at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers Kelsey would appreciate it if you made a donation to a local animal shelter, adopt a pet from an animal shelter, or consider becoming an organ donor.  These were important causes to Kelsey.

Candlelight Vigil For Kelsey - Animals Welcome

When: Wednesday December 2, 2015

Time:  6:00 p.m. - we hope to keep the service under an hour and a half

Where:  Kelsey's Home: 162 So. 450 E.  Clearfield, UT 84015

Parking: Please park at the Church on Locust and 200 No.  We will meet here and walk over to the house.

Animals Welcome: Please keep in mind that the last thing Kelsey would want if for any animal to be harmed while remembering her.  You are welcome to bring your pets, but if they are not socialized, well consider we will have many other animals there.  Please have any dogs who are not carried on leashes!