Kelly Marie was born April 7, 1979, to David and Sharon Ortiz on Travis Air Force Base in California. Kelly, the second of three girls, soon developed a mohawk that would foretell her later wild streak. Kelly attended the public schools of Solano County and graduated from Fairfield-Suisun Adult School in May of 2000. Kelly aspired to do many things, studying everything from electronics and computer technology to truck driving, and creating ideas for assistance groups for troubled youth. She was rarely idle and never settled in one place long enough to grow her visions into realities.
Anyone who knew Kelly would describe her as a free spirit and a kid at heart. She joined Karate with her dad and sister, enjoyed softball and Giants baseball, working in the yard, and fixing things. But most of all, she loved being in nature, hiking wherever she went, exploring rivers and lakes, searching for “cool” and heart-shaped rocks. She loved animals and is preceded by her beloved cat, Kudos, and survived by her beloved dog, Tommi.
Kelly freed herself of earthly limitations and mental anguish on a date as unique as she; February 29, 2024. Though living throughout the western and south-western US states, Kelly’s physical journey ended in Dayton, NV. Kelly will be well remembered for her vibrancy and helpful nature by her grandmother, Rosalina Ortiz, parents, David and Sharon Ortiz, her sisters, Brenna Benjamin and Elizabeth Wayne, “brothers,” Joey Acevedo, Corey Benjamin, and Kenneth Matthews, nephews, Camden Benjamin, Logan Chamberlain, Pierce Paulson, and Richard Wayne, nieces, LeAndra Ortiz, Diamonté Chamberlain, Trinitey Benjamin, and Abagayle Wayne, along with a great many other relatives and friends.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Kelly’s memory may be made to:
Vibrant Emotional Health (https://www.vibrant.org/donate), your local NAMI branch (https://www.nami.org/Home), or The Northern Nevada Dream Center (https://nndreamcenter.org/give/).
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