Elaine J Kelley

BRAZIL — Just as suddenly and unexpectedly as Lainey Kelley appeared on a side street of Brazil, last year to resuscitate and save the life of a total stranger (now a dear friend), she herself left all those she loved on Oct. 30, 2015. She was 52. Her death was triggered by a symptomless aneurism. The news shocked and devastated her entire family, her fiancé, her friends, and her coworkers at St. Vincent Clay Hospital in Brazil, where she lived and worked the last seven years of her life.

Born Jan. 12, 1963, in Orange, N.J., and raised in Caldwell, Lainey was the only daughter of Audrey and Peter Kelley. Stunningly beautiful (she modeled furs in her 20’s) she also was one of the cutest kids ever — with pictures to prove it. Check out https://www.facebook.com/lainey.kelley, where you’ll see her beloved Labrador “Rocky;” her fiancé, Jim Latta; and many of her other family and friends.

Lainey was just hitting her stride when she died. She had earned a bachelor’s in business from Rutgers University, N.J.; and a registered nursing degree from Ramapo College, N.J. (where she graduated as valedictorian, winning a standing ovation for her commencement speech). She went on to Barry University in Florida (where most of her family had moved) to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Immediately after graduating from Barry, seven years ago, Lainey moved to Brazil to practice anesthesia at St. Vincent Clay. She also practiced part-time at another local hospital in Terra Haute.

New to the area and all alone, Lainey quickly endeared herself to the small Midwest community. For instance, she sent a letter to her coworkers, introducing herself and letting them know how much she loved the town; her new job; her new boyfriend, Jim; and all the local folk she was meeting and helping.

Besides working full time, often double shifts, Lainey finished building her home this year on a farm she bought in Brazil. She and Jim raised cattle and chickens. She gave them names like Belle (her favorite cow); Stir Fry and Montana (two new calves); and Hiney (a rooster with missing tail feathers). She even created her own farm swag — hunter’s orange baseball caps that read: JNL Farms, Brazil. The JNL stood for Jim ‘n Lainey. Last year she bought, personally improved, and sold three houses. And she looked good doing it — Lainey ironed everything, including her undershirts and socks.

One of Lainey’s greatest heartaches was losing her dad in his own untimely death two years before in Florida. She grieved so hard that she buried him in Terre Haute so she could visit his gravesite. She’ll be buried next to him. She is survived by almost all her family and friends, including her mom; three brothers; and her fiancé.

Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, at 4 until 8 p.m. at Lawson-Miller Chapel,1702 E. National Ave., Brazil. Services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jacob Sutton officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Terre Haute. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elaine J. Kelley Scholarship Fund c/o Ramapo College of New Jersey Foundation, 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430.

Visit www.lawson-millerchapel.com to light a candle in her memory.