J. Brendan Kelley

Kelley, Jeffrey Brendan, 24 of Deer Park passed peacefully in his sleep at home after a year long battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).  Brendan was a graduate of Deer Park High School and was in his fifth year of studies at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.  He is survived by his father, Jeffrey A. Kelley, his mother, Nancy Kelley Biddle, stepfather, Terry Biddle, sisters Abigail, Anna, and Alena Biddle, Grammy Carol Kelley (Grandpa Tom Calhoun) Grandpa Larry Kelley(Carol Pipoly) and aunts(Kris, Maryrose, Janet, Sue, Char) uncles(Kevin,Jerry,John,Larry,Allan) cousins(Perri,Finn,Allison, Michael, Charlie, Rob, John, Lisa,), and many, many friends, and of course his cancer cat, Zimba.

 Although Brendan was taken from us at the flowering of his young life, he had an amazing impact on everyone he knew and met.  His indomitable spirit and never say die attitude carried him through the darkest days of his treatments and hospitalizations over the last fourteen months. It was also that spirit and attitude which buoyed those who were closest to him when all seemed to be lost.  Brendan always seemed to surprise us at how he could come through a painful episode and continue to get on with life with that big Brendan smile on his face.  That is why it is equally as surprising that he simply slipped away from us in his sleep in the early morning hours Wednesday, March 12. 

Brendan was a man on a mission. That mission was to finally defeat DIPG.  After his diagnosis was confirmed he attacked his cancer head on with a one-two punch of radiation and chemotherapy. Even though he lost his hair and wore an eye patch for double vision, and towards the end had trouble walking, he remained undeterred.  He was finishing his second round of chemotherapy to prepare for another round of radiation when the end came.  Brendan was named Ambassador for the Hyde Park Blast which is an annual fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now foundation founded by Keith Desserich.  It is through Brendan’s recently videoed interview and earlier speech as Ambassador that his impact will continue to be felt.

Brendan also insisted on doing everything he could to help Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Center wipe out DIPG.  To achieve this, Brendan agreed to donate his tumor to science so that his doctor, Dr. Mariko Dewire, can finally put an end to this terrible scourge that takes the lives of children way too soon. He could never say enough good things about the care and love he received from his doctor and the staff at Children’s Hospital.  In this way, Brendan will have a continued impact on generations yet to come.

Brendan would have wanted this to event to be a celebration of his life. Come join us to celebrate. Wear green (Brendan’s favorite color) in some way if possible. The visitation will be held at Hodapp Funeral Home, 8815 Route 42(Reading Rd), West Chester, OH, from 5pm to 8pm, Thursday, March 20.  A funeral mass will be said at 11am Friday, March 21,  at St. Susanna Catholic Church, 616 Reading Rd. Mason, OH, followed by a green balloon release on the grounds.

In lieu of flowers, envelopes will be available for memorial donations to the Cure Starts Now Foundation (thecurestartsnow.org)