By Geoffrey Sorensen
University students are remembering one of their own who passed away last month.
Allison Kelly, a 21-year-old child psychology major and tennis player, who would have been a senior this year, lost her battle with a rare form of cancer on Oct. 23.
The doctors diagnosed her with an unclassified sarcoma, one of only 85 cases in the United States. Her funeral was held Oct. 28 at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, N.Y.
Kelly graduated from Valley Stream Central High School in 2001, where she played first singles on the varsity tennis team. She was accepted the University on a full scholarship for tennis.
Her teammate and friend Adriana Segura, a senior, remembered Allison playing on the courts.
“She had a unique style,” Segura said. “She had a two-handed forehand and backhand.”
Segura also talked about her emotional strength.
“Even when she was sick, she told everyone, ‘I’m going to be fine.’ She was always positive,” she said.
Jillian Schalk, a junior, said, “She was more than just a teammate. She was amazing. She was one of the best people I’ve met at Hofstra.”
Funny, determined, tough, upbeat and incredible were among the words Schalk used when describing her friend.
“Allison will be remembered for her ridiculous laugh,” Schalk added. “She brightened up everyone’s day. Everybody who knew her was lucky that their paths crossed with her’s.”
“We are all going to miss her so much for her personality and for being an amazing girl with an incredible smile,” junior Erika Reggiani said. She said Kelly never gave up hope.
“Her fight really inspired everyone to be strong,” Reggiani said.
In an interview with Newsday last Friday, Kelly’s father, Owen Kelly said, “I feel empty. For my [wife] Linda and me, the worst part is the empty house, the room, the pictures on the wall. She was such a wonderful girl.”
In celebration of Allison’s life, her family would greatly appreciate donations to Valley Stream Central High School Alumni Association Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Please make checks payable to:
V.S.C.H.S.A.A.S.F.
PO Box 642
Valley Stream, N.Y. 11582
Senior Allison Kelly died from sarcoma Oct. 23. (Photo courtesy Adriana Segura)