Kelly Christine Marsh

Kelly Marsh (Rickenbaugh) age 49 of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away on September 9, 2022, of stroke related complications at her home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida surrounded by friends and family. She was the beloved wife of Kevin Bradley (Brad) Marsh, adored daughter of Robert and Kathie (Davies) Rickenbaugh, devoted sister of Robert (Keri) Rickenbaugh, Jamie (Mindy) Rickenbaugh and Katie (Marshall) Dykes, admired daughter in law to Dan and Connie Marsh, adoring aunt to many nieces and nephews, and cherished friend to many.

Kelly graduated from Roger Bacon High School in 1991 before completing her bachelor’s degree in public relations at Xavier University in 1996. She spent her life being an integral part of non-profit organizations including, People Working Cooperatively, Cincinnati Museum Center and Thomas Moore College. Kelly loved a busy life of work, travel, and time with spent with family and friends. She met Brad in 2000 and they married in 2005 and began building their life together.

On August 30, 2009 at the age of 36, Kelly suffered her first acute hemorrhagic stroke leaving her with right side weakness in her arm, hand, and foot and severe verbal aphasia. She worked hard to re-train her brain and body to walk, speak, read, and write. As with all things in her life, Kelly fought to make a full recovery, decided to use her experience, and struggles to give back. In 2016, she wrote a book titled Love Stroke chronicling her recovery journey as a young stroke survivor and Brad’s essential role as her advocate and caregiver. She created a non-profit organization One Stroke Forward, aiding young stroke survivors and presented at various events teaching the community and healthcare professionals about important stroke signs, living with stroke related disabilities, and patient advocacy.

In all her giving back Kelly still found time to enjoy life to the fullest by traveling with Brad and hosting friends and family on any occasion she had. In April of 2021 Kelly and Brad fulfilled a lifelong dream of moving to Florida. Unfortunately, their time was cut short on October 13, 2021, when she suffered a second stroke leaving her with oral paralysis and apraxia of the tongue and vocal cords along with additional physical weakness. She explored all therapies and known procedures and fought as hard as she could to make a full recovery but realizing the long-term quality of life challenges she was facing, she decided to live her last few months to the fullest. She created a bucket list of the last things she wanted to accomplish with her loving husband, family, and friends. She renewed her vows with Brad, went on a sunset cruise, got tattoos, golfed, went on a helicopter ride and spent time visiting with family and friends.

Kelly was a friend to all and an inspiration to anyone who knew her story and will be greatly missed. A celebration of Kelly’s life will be held at a later date near her previous home in Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati.

In lieu of flowers, Kelly has requested that donations be made to either The Kelly Marsh Scholarship at Roger Bacon High School or her Stroke foundation One Stroke Forward, so that she can continue giving back in death as she did in her life.

Donations may be made to, The Kelly Marsh Scholarship at Roger Bacon High School, 4320 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45217, www.Roger bacon.org/giving/donate or One Stroke Forward (www.onestrokeforward.org), 16516 Berwick Terrace, Bradenton, FL 34202 or OSF Facebook page.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rtslwr.com for the Marsh family.