In Memory Of
Kelly R. Strong
1979
2019
Kelly R. Strong
February 10, 1979 — February 25, 2019
Kelly R. Strong, age 40, of Orlando, Florida passed away on Monday, February 25, 2019 at her home in Orlando.
Kelly was born on February 10, 1979 in Spokane, WA; daughter to Ken and Shelley (Capen) Strong. Kelly and her family moved to Casselberry, Florida in 1991. There, Kelly graduated from Lyman High School. She was in the marching band all four years there. During High School, she was active in her church youth group, which annually had mission trips devoted to helping the forgotten poor through work that stretched the faith of all the youth. There she got the missions bug. She received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. Halfway through Kelly's college education, she took a break and began pursuing mission work full-time. Kelly joined Mercy Ships and became a volunteer on the Anastasis, a hospital ship that sailed along the African coast to provide medical services free to people who could not afford it.
After returning to the U.S. to complete her college education, Kelly worked for WESH 2 News as a Producer's Assistant. Later, she returned to Mercy Ships as Video Production Manager at their headquarters in Texas, and produced numerous works that captured the mission and efforts of Mercy Ships.
After Kelly's time with Mercy Ships came to a close, she returned home to Orlando. In 2011, Kelly joined Wycliffe Associates and prepared for a long-term assignment in Brazil. Kelly lived in Brazil for a year and learned Portuguese; however, the volunteer position fell through. For the next couple of years, Kelly continued to serve at WA in various roles including providing translation services and assisting with English learning programs.
Ultimately, Kelly and her close friend Dana made the transition to Wycliffe Bible Translators and moved to southeast Asia to develop and operate an English language learning program for Bible translators in that area. Kelly was quickly picking-up the local language and enjoying the opportunity to serve overseas again. But she had strange illnesses the later half of 2017, then at Christmas she was diagnosed with cancer. She then returned to Orlando for treatment. To read the updates regarding Kelly's battle with cancer, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/kellys-mission-defeat-cancer and click on "Updates."
Kelly loved many things, but few things could surpass her love for her family, her friends, adventure, coffee, traveling, good TV, and pulling pranks on the unsuspecting. Kelly lived her life in service to others and was driven by a desire to serve God with excellence and integrity - a desire that she undoubtedly fulfilled. Over Kelly's 20 years as a missionary she visited 28 countries, made many friends, and left a lasting impression on people wherever she went. She will be greatly missed.
Kelly is survived by her parents; her maternal grandfather, William F. Capen; two sisters, Lynsei Paladino and her husband, Garrett, and Jillian Meaney and her husband, Mitchell; a brother, David Strong and his wife Katie; a nephew, Nickolas Paladino; two nieces, Alexis Paladino and Brinlee Strong; and aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and supporters around the world.
A celebration of Kelly's life will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 3:00 p.m. at the following location:
Community United Methodist Church
4921 S. US Highway 17-92
Casselberry, FL 32707
The celebration will take place in the sanctuary followed by some southern barbeque. Dress is casual.
In memoriam gifts
Kelly asked that donations in her memory be made to two organizations that Kelly dedicated much of her adult life to: Mercy Ships (https://www.mercyships.org/ways-to-give/) and/or Wycliffe Bible Translators (https://www.wycliffe.org/donate).
Donations made to Kelly's GoFundMe campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/kellys-mission-defeat-cancer) will go towards Kelly's medical and final expenses.
Newcomer Funeral Home – East Orlando Chapel have been entrusted with arrangements.
To share your memories of Kelly or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
Kelly was born on February 10, 1979 in Spokane, WA; daughter to Ken and Shelley (Capen) Strong. Kelly and her family moved to Casselberry, Florida in 1991. There, Kelly graduated from Lyman High School. She was in the marching band all four years there. During High School, she was active in her church youth group, which annually had mission trips devoted to helping the forgotten poor through work that stretched the faith of all the youth. There she got the missions bug. She received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. Halfway through Kelly's college education, she took a break and began pursuing mission work full-time. Kelly joined Mercy Ships and became a volunteer on the Anastasis, a hospital ship that sailed along the African coast to provide medical services free to people who could not afford it.
After returning to the U.S. to complete her college education, Kelly worked for WESH 2 News as a Producer's Assistant. Later, she returned to Mercy Ships as Video Production Manager at their headquarters in Texas, and produced numerous works that captured the mission and efforts of Mercy Ships.
After Kelly's time with Mercy Ships came to a close, she returned home to Orlando. In 2011, Kelly joined Wycliffe Associates and prepared for a long-term assignment in Brazil. Kelly lived in Brazil for a year and learned Portuguese; however, the volunteer position fell through. For the next couple of years, Kelly continued to serve at WA in various roles including providing translation services and assisting with English learning programs.
Ultimately, Kelly and her close friend Dana made the transition to Wycliffe Bible Translators and moved to southeast Asia to develop and operate an English language learning program for Bible translators in that area. Kelly was quickly picking-up the local language and enjoying the opportunity to serve overseas again. But she had strange illnesses the later half of 2017, then at Christmas she was diagnosed with cancer. She then returned to Orlando for treatment. To read the updates regarding Kelly's battle with cancer, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/kellys-mission-defeat-cancer and click on "Updates."
Kelly loved many things, but few things could surpass her love for her family, her friends, adventure, coffee, traveling, good TV, and pulling pranks on the unsuspecting. Kelly lived her life in service to others and was driven by a desire to serve God with excellence and integrity - a desire that she undoubtedly fulfilled. Over Kelly's 20 years as a missionary she visited 28 countries, made many friends, and left a lasting impression on people wherever she went. She will be greatly missed.
Kelly is survived by her parents; her maternal grandfather, William F. Capen; two sisters, Lynsei Paladino and her husband, Garrett, and Jillian Meaney and her husband, Mitchell; a brother, David Strong and his wife Katie; a nephew, Nickolas Paladino; two nieces, Alexis Paladino and Brinlee Strong; and aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and supporters around the world.
A celebration of Kelly's life will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 3:00 p.m. at the following location:
Community United Methodist Church
4921 S. US Highway 17-92
Casselberry, FL 32707
The celebration will take place in the sanctuary followed by some southern barbeque. Dress is casual.
In memoriam gifts
Kelly asked that donations in her memory be made to two organizations that Kelly dedicated much of her adult life to: Mercy Ships (https://www.mercyships.org/ways-to-give/) and/or Wycliffe Bible Translators (https://www.wycliffe.org/donate).
Donations made to Kelly's GoFundMe campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/kellys-mission-defeat-cancer) will go towards Kelly's medical and final expenses.
Newcomer Funeral Home – East Orlando Chapel have been entrusted with arrangements.
To share your memories of Kelly or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kelly R. Strong, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Starts at 3:00 pm (Eastern time)
Community United Methodist Church
Guestbook
Visits: 3
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