Kelsey Anne Harris
November 01, 1995 - April 17, 2014
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Kelsey Anne Harris
November 01, 1995 - April 17, 2014
Obituary
Kelsey Anne Harris, 18, of Tustin passed away Thursday, April 17th after losing a battle to Lafora disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder.
Kelsey was born to Frank and Bridget Harris on Nov. 1st, 1995 in Orange, Ca. In her early childhood Kelsey lived in Irvine and attended UCI’s childcare centers and Springbrook Elementary School before moving to Tustin in 2004, where she finished elementary school at St. Cecilia’s Catholic School.
Kelsey attended Pioneer Middle School and ultimately Beckman High School where she was an honors/honor roll student. She was a senior and scheduled to graduate this year with her fellow classmates.
Kelsey was a perfectionist in every way, as evidenced by her work both within and outside of the classroom. She loved art, helping children and sports of every kind, both as a participant and an observer. She played baseball, softball and basketball but soon determined that soccer was her primary love. She played for the Irvine Premier soccer club, ultimately earning a position as goalkeeper for Beckman High School girl’s soccer team. While she enjoyed watching every sport, she had a special love for Angels baseball.
In addition to her parents, Bridget and Frank, Kelsey is survived by siblings Erin (24), Ryan (23), Nolan (17) and Mark (13).
Kelsey was an incredible daughter, sister and friend and will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
Funeral arrangements will be held at St. John Neuman Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 29th at 11 o’clock am. Kelsey’s final place of rest will be Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Lake Forest. A reception will be held after both services at the Guzzetta Family Home, 7 Longstreet, Irvine, CA 92620. All are welcome to attend.
Kelsey’s favorite colors were green and purple. Many will be honoring Kelsey by wearing those colors the day of the service.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be sent in Kelsey’s name to Chelsea’s Hope – Lafora Children Research Fund: https://www.chelseashope.org
34 responses to Kelsey Anne Harris
Kaila Karns says:
April 27, 2014
I met Kelsey when I was in 5th grade. She was in 6th grade at Pioneer Middle School then, but I still had the wonderful chance of meeting her at PCE’s yearly Pioneer Days Fair. It was a year when I was going through a lot, and not many people were there to support me, and actually not many talked to me either. So imagine my surprise when she ends up talking to me by the rockwall, and hours later we end up laughing and talking up on top of the jungle gym. All I got from that first meeting was her first name. Kelsey.
As time went on, I ran into Kelsey everywhere-from the park, to visits at Pioneer, and even costco where I distinctly remember her dropping a cube of ice down the back of my shirt and me freaking out and onlookers staring at me like I was insane. (Weird memory, I know)
When I started going to Pioneer, I didn’t know many people, but Kelsey was the person who showed me how to get my locker open faster, showed me around the school, and even tried to get me to join the soccer team. Yeeeeah that one didn’t work out so well-I ended up in track-but she was always so nice to everyone and caring and she really loved soccer.
Time went on, and eventually she went on to high school. I still saw her here and there but not as much as before, though she always looked really happy every time I saw her.
When I got to high school, I really started seeing her more. greetings in the halls during passing period, talking at lunch, it was like the good old days again, days I had missed when she went on to high school-most my friends were actually older than me by one or two years so I had a very lonely 8th grade year.
Sophomore year came around, nothing really changed, and then this year.
Abruptly I stopped seeing her anywhere. I hardly ever saw her in the halls, and the last time I did she was in a wheelchair-though I had assumed it was due to a soccer injury or something. She seemed so tired and different. Something changed, but I didn’t know what. The next time I saw her she was even more vacant looking, and didn’t even look at me when I tried talking to her. I almost thought I had maybe talked to the wrong person-a doppelganger or something, and over the next few weeks kept an eye out for Kelsey. But I only saw the same girl in the wheelchair, or walking around very slowly and out-of-it, and I was really worried. I hadn’t spoken to her mom in a long long time, and I didn’t know of her friends or who might know something. I felt so confused and regretful, because then 2 weeks since then I find out she’s gone on from a disease and I had no idea. She’d been there for me all through the times when I needed someone, and I couldn’t even be there for her. I didn’t even know. She never said anything about it.
I will forever miss and love Kelsey, one of my dearest and oldest friends, and always have a pit of regret inside because I couldn’t do anything to help her or her family. I’m so sorry.
I’ll try to be at her funeral Tuesday-parents may not let me because school-but I wanted to at least say this somewhere where people could know just how strong and amazing of a person Kelsey was and is.
Rest in Peace forevermore ??
-Kaila Karns
sissy oberlin says:
April 27, 2014
I will miss Kelsey everyday..her cute smile, chasing the baseball boys, and her ability to make me laugh. God Bless the Harris family.
Mrs. Sissy Oberlin
Adele Heuer says:
April 28, 2014
I met Kelsey during her freshman year at Beckman baseball games. She introduced herself as Ryan’s sister and was very proud of his accomplishments at Beckman. She was always energetic and talked to Sean Diaz and me at all of the games, including away games, asking if we minded if she sat with us. Of course we thought she was the cutest girl and told her yes! I will miss her and that little Kelsey spark that I could still see in her eyes when was excited about something. My heartfelt condolences to her loving family. She was a joy to everyone she met.
Adele Heuer
Principal, Beckman HS
Debby Vander Sluis says:
April 28, 2014
There are no words to lessen the grief you are all going through. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Denise Beck says:
April 28, 2014
Kelsey was a wonderful girl! I would occasionally give Kelsey a ride home from Beckman when I came to pick up my daughter, and she always had a big smile and a warm laugh that brightened the day. She also set a great example for my children never failing to say thank you when I dropped her off. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Denise Beck