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Born in Neptune, Kelsey graduated from Wall High School before earning her Culinary Nutrition degree summa cum laude from Johnson & Wales, her obituary says.
She went on to pursue a Dietetic Internship at Tulane University and educating healthcare students about her culinary applications during a second internship with Tulane’s Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine.
Kelsey most recently worked as a Clinical Nutritionist at NY Presbyterian Columbia Hospital and as Vegetarian Nutrition DPG State Coordinator, her memorial says.
Highly driven by both fundamental human rights and the concept of treating food as medicine, Kelsey’s passion earned her NYP Dietitian of the Year and VN Cyndi Reeser Outstanding State Coordinator of the Year awards.
“Kelsey was always motivated by her love for family, friends and everyone around her,” reads Kelsey’s memorial. “She was full of laughter with a positive spirit and determination, and she had grit…She believed that everyone should have access to credible nutrition resources.”
Kelsey’s surviving family members include her loving parents, Matthew and Stephanie Downey; her siblings, Matthew and Elliot; as well as many extended family members and close friends.
Meanwhile, more than $22,400 had been raised on a GoFundMe launched in April for Kelsey’s support shortly before her passing as of Friday, May 19.
“Last summer, Kelsey, and her whole family for that matter, were blindsided by a pain in her lower back- that grew into a very painful and dreaded disease. Cancer,” reads the fundraiser, which described Kelsey as a “dedicated nurse who sees to it that the many patients she's worked with are equipped with the right dietary needs as they continue healing post-op.”
A tribute from Kelsey’s workplace at VNDPG remembered her as “a beautiful human being that will always have a special place among us and will be missed greatly.”
Kelsey’s memorial was held at the Reilly Bonner Funeral Home in Belmar on Monday, April 24. Donations were also being accepted in Kelsey's honor to the John Theurer Cancer Center.
“Kelsey will be missed, and remembered for all the good she did," reads her obituary, "and all the lives she touched throughout her wonderful life.”
Click here to view/donate on GoFundMe.
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