Born Kelly Ann O’Donnell in Staten Island, New York, she was the daughter of Dorothy Heerlein and Anthony O’Donnell, and was raised by Marilyn Backof and her husband, Billy in Grant City. She graduated from St. Joseph by the Sea High School class of ‘86. She then graduated in 1990 at St. John’s University with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting.
Kelly was the definition of mental, emotional, and physical fortitude. She was a loving wife and mother, and enjoyed soccer and cycling, and went on to win three Gold medals at the Empire State Games for Women Cycling. She began learning Karate at The House of Karate with her husband later in life, earning a black belt in less than a year and went on to earn a third degree. She loved her pets, and loved rescuing dogs. After raising a family, she went on to earn her certification as an EMT, volunteering with North Shore Rescue. There was nothing too much for her to do once she decided to do it. She loved deeply and endlessly, with intelligence and wit in equal measure, and created beautiful embroidered and knitted works of art.
Kelly is survived by her first love, high-school sweetheart, and husband of 28 years, Michael Gisonda, as well as her daughters, Nicole Cardona of Boston, MA, Megan Gisonda Mendelssohn and husband Yossef of Fairfax, VA, and Kristen Gisonda of Staten Island, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Shore Animal Rescue League, Port Washington, NY www.animalleague.org
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