Kelsey was born April 28, 1994, in Barberton to Walt and Leigh (West) Sandmann.   She was a 2012 graduate of Wadsworth High School and was in her junior year at The University of Akron until the time of her diagnosis in January 2015.   Her studies were nursing/social work.

Kelsey was a huge fan of the arts, mainly theatre and singing.  She was involved with show choir and theatre in high school.   She continued her passion with The Wadsworth Footlighters where she was a board member, actor, director, and techie.   Her final bow was this summer as she directed 30+ youth in the production of HONK! Jr.   It was a goal to direct this as it was the very first play she had performed in.

Kelsey was also strong in her faith.   She was a lifelong member of First Christian Church in Wadsworth.   Church provided many ways to grow her faith.   Some of her most cherished memories are that of the CYF Youth Group, Camp Christian in Magnetic Springs, Ohio, and being able to go on the United Nations Seminar/Washington trip her senior year. Through ALL of these activities she made lifelong friendships that she cherished daily.

Kelsey was preceded in death by grandparents, Joseph West, Walter and Mary Ann Sandmann, and cousin, Madeline McPike.

She is survived by her parents, Walt and Leigh Sandmann;  sisters and brother-in-law, Erin Goff, Stephanie and Stephen Lange, all of Wadsworth;  grandma, Claudette West of Wadsworth;  uncles and aunts, Dave (Lori) West of Salinas, Calif., Christine (James) McPike of North Ridgeville, Ohio, Richard (Valerie) Sandmann of Fairlawn, Ohio, David (Shelly) Sandmann of Clinton, Ohio, Steve (Carol) Sandmann; William (Chris) Sandmann of Barberton, Ohio, Robert Sandmann of Copley, Anna Sandmann/Daniel McFarlin of Copley;  cousins, Jessica (Jerod) Stewart/Lauren/Sean, Cameron West; Ashley (Dominic) Sica, Brandon Sandmann; Tara Sandmann, Courtney Sandmann; Josh Sandmann, Samantha Sandmann, Kaitlyn Sandmann, Zach Sandmann.   Several additional relatives complete this wonderful family tree.

Thank you to all the nurses on 5400 at Akron General, Dr. Petrus and his entire staff, the nurses on the 20th floor at The James in Columbus, Dr. David Cohn and his entire staff, and the wonderful nurses that took care of Kelsey at the Western Reserve Hospice of Medina -- we were blessed to have all of you care for our daughter.

The family will receive friends 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth, and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church, 116 E. Boyer St., Wadsworth, where funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., with Rev. James L. Singleton officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home to assist the family with final expenses.