Kelly, 25, was ushered into eternity on Nov 15, 2015, in New York, New York. She was born August 24, 1990 to Mark & Jimmie Marie Cosby. Kelly’s life was far too short, but her impact on our world will be long-lasting due to her incredible drive and persistence to live a life filled with purpose and love. Kelly’s life serves as overwhelming evidence that one person can make a difference in the world, one life at a time.
Following her graduation from Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kansas in 2008, Kelly earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English from the University of Kansas in 2012, graduating with Distinction in Political Science and as a University Scholar. During Kelly’s undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at Solbach Law Office from 2009 to 2012, a post that her brother, Clay, took over upon her departure for law school. Kelly was a columnist for the University Daily Kansan; Student Senator; and Into the Streets Week Coordinator for the Center for Community Outreach. Her Senior Thesis was entitled “Darfur’s Role in and Relationship to the Failure of Peace Between Sudan and South Sudan”, one of several human rights issues that Kelly worked to address. She served as Amnesty International’s Student Area Coordinator for Kansas and was a staunch advocate against the Death Penalty. She served as an Intern for Obama For America in 2008 and served as a cultural mentor for two summers in the US Women’s Leadership Institute, hosted at the University of Kansas.
Kelly attained a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law in May, 2015. She was an International Law and Human Rights Fellow, at the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice. Kelly was also a Staff Editor for the Journal of International Law and Politics. In addition, while studying law in New York she worked as a legal intern for Global Justice Center during the summer of 2013, where she conducted research and produced legal memos on issues of violence against women in armed conflict and the rights of victims under international humanitarian law.
This is just some of the evidence that rightfully suggests Kelly lived her life in a fashion symmetrical to the causes she spearheaded so ardently, to promote a more just and fair world, with a force that has not ceased.
Kelly was a multi-faceted individual who immensely enjoyed people, music, art, clothes, and many other things too numerous to mention. In fact, she wrote and recorded a rap tribute music video for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which can be viewed on YouTube under Notorious RBG. Kelly enjoyed singing and theater, and was a Producer, Choreographer, Vocal Director, Vocal Arranger, and Lead Cast Member of NYU School of Law’s “Law Revue” in 2015.
Kelly recently began her career as a lawyer in New York at the Duane Morris LLP, nationally recognized as “one of the best law firms for women” in September, 2015, after passing the New York bar exam in July.
Kelly was an incredible human being with a network of friends and family that have been forever impacted by her compassion and courage. She is survived by her brother and personal soul-mate, Clayton James Cosby of Overland Park; Parents Mark & Jimmie Marie of Overland Park; Grandparents Jimmie M. & Avis Cosby of Oklahoma City; James E. Murray, Oklahoma City; Aunt Kathy Scherler & husband, David of Irving, TX; Aunt Sharon Wetwiska & husband, Larry of Bethany, OK; and five first cousins and a host of great-aunts, uncles, and extended cousins in Oklahoma, Texas and beyond. She was a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS.
Kelly was diagnosed with melanoma in November 2012, and underwent surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. A recurrence of the cancer was diagnosed immediately following Kelly’s graduation in May 2015, but through sheer grit and determination studied and passed the New York bar exam taken in July while undergoing a series of treatments for the recurrence of the cancer.
NYU School of Law hosted a memorial tribute to Kelly on the law school campus on November 18, where numerous friends and colleagues celebrated the short but vibrant life of this wonderful woman.
Kelly was a champion of the mistreated, a friend to the friendless, and a defender of the defenseless. Her legacy will continue to live in the lives of all of us that she so gently and lovingly touched. She will be greatly missed.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 21, 2015 at McGilley State Line Chapel, with burial immediately following in Johnson County Memorial Gardens.
Condolences may be left at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com Arrangements by, McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145. (816) 942-6180.
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