Tributes
“Kelly worked hard and participated in the Fine Arts department since her elementary school days. She participated in chorus, concert chorale, and musicals from elementary through high school. She was always involved in fine arts even while excelling in sports and academics. She sang the National Anthem for her swim meets and as a soloist at her 2009 Liverpool High School graduation. The weight of this loss for myself, her many other friends, and of course her family, still remains heavy on our hearts. Her involvement in the fine arts program is a major part of who she was, and I feel is a great representation of what it takes to be a part of the Fine Arts Hall of Fame.”
Amanda Vogue Sullivan
Fine Arts Hall of Fame Nomination Letter Excerpt
June 2022
LCSD Fine Arts Hall of Fame Induction
Matt Wilson - Central New York Community Foundation (cnycf.org)
“Those who crossed paths with Kelly were met with her gentle and nurturing nature, thirst for life and mega-watt smile. She was a “Jill” of all trades: a pharmacist at a local Wegmans, an avid “upcycler” who could transform old furniture into trendy décor, a dedicated volunteer at Helping Hounds Dog Rescue and a social butterfly who loved and adored her circle of family and friends. And to top it off, she was absolutely beautiful!”
Central New York Community Foundation Fundraising Article
January 8, 2021
Helping Hounds Honors Dedicated Volunteer
“There’s a new energy to help our furry friends in Central New York. Helping Hounds Dog Rescue has a new home on Caswell Avenue in North Syracuse. It’s fulfilling a longtime wish for Kelly Wilson.”
Spectrum News Article
January 21, 2020
There have been so many moments this...
“There have been so many moments this year that have taught us to be mindful of our legacy as we are writing it every day. The decisions we make, the actions we take, how we leave others feeling when we interact with them, each moment tells our story. When we are no longer here to write it ourselves, we can only hope that we touched others in a way that they will be inspired to keep honoring what we left behind. The pharmacists at Wegmans DeWitt donated this beautiful bench, where the first family photos will be taken after each adoption, to honor the memory of Kelly Wilson.”
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue
Facebook Post
December 10, 2017
See the dogs saved by donations in memory of CNY pharmacist (photos)
“After the tragic accidental death of Central New York woman Kelly Ross Wilson in July, people who mourned her loss wanted to do something in her memory. The family decided to direct donations to Helping Hounds. At the same time, others donated money to an animal rescue group in Texas where Kelly's puppy, Walker, was born. The donations to the Underdog Express in Texas paid for 18 dogs to come to Helping Hounds in DeWitt. Twelve have been shipped, and more are coming in September.”
Syracuse.com Article
August 30, 2017
Donations pour in for Helping Hounds after CNY pharmacist's untimely death: 'She would be ecstatic'
Mourners asked what they could do to help, and the family asked that contributions in Kelly's name be made to Helping Hounds, a DeWitt-based dog rescue group. “The response was unbelievable,” said Kathy Gilmour, Helping Hounds executive director. “It was just amazing, she said. I have never seen anything like it.”
Syracuse.com Article
August 30, 2017
Life and grief in Liverpool:Matt’s Memo
“Some longtime Liverpool neighbors say there’s never been a line like that before. Winding a village block outside the Maurer Funeral Home. It wound another village block once inside. Couples, friends and families marking time until it was their turn for a handshake, a kiss and a lasting embrace. As they waited they reminisced. They soaked in the dozens of photos of Kelly Ross Wilson. The family’s tears may have stained the pictures, but they surely had no trouble finding one with her trademark bright smile. She was always wearing it.”
Matt Mulcahy, Anchor / Managing Editor
WSTM, CNY Central
July 20, 2017
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue Facebook Post
“Kelly’s time on this Earth was way too short, but as evidenced by the many people who called and stopped in today who knew and loved her, her time was well spent. So many people shared story after story of how they knew her, how long they had been friends, how special she was to them for so many reasons. There is no doubt that she touched so many lives and made them better by a kind word, a helpful act, her beautiful smile or her genuine love of life itself. We were lucky enough to have witnessed all these things each and every time she walked through the doors of HHDR and played with a puppy, comforted a scared dog, ran with an energetic one or welcomed the new arrivals.”
Kathy Gilmour, Executive Director
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue
July 18, 2017