Obituary of Shelby Brooke Kennedy
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shelby Brooke Kennedy. Shelby passed away on Monday, June 27, after her courageous battle with brain cancer. Shelby was born on October 12, 1988, in Mt. Kisco, New York. She is survived by her husband Mark Kennedy, her mother Karen Skinner and her partner John Hannigan, her father Jeffrey Skinner, her brothers Ryan Skinner and Tyler (Erin) Skinner, as well as her step-siblings Jessica (Robert) Zimmerman and Sean Hannigan, her father and mother-in-law Arturo and Patricia Puente, her sister-in-law Amanda Kennedy and brothers-in-law Brandon Kennedy, Fernando Puente and Andres Puente, her grandfather, aunts and uncles, cousins, her nephew and niece, and her beloved Blue French Bulldog Baba Ganoush Kennedy.
Shelby attended R.C. Ketcham High School before graduating with honors from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2011. She used her expertise in the fashion industry to create the "Glio Leo" brand, a brand dedicated to raising awareness and funding for those fighting the battle against glioblastoma. She also put her fashion knowledge to good use while on her many personal shopping trips.
Shelby lived her life with great passion, kindness, and love. She touched all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She loved her family and friends, and traveling the world. Shelby’s adventurous spirit took her to fifteen countries on multiple continents. During her time at FIT, Shelby fell in with an incredible group of young women who are fondly referred to as the "FITches." They were there for Shelby during her formative college years and remained by her side throughout her lengthy fight, providing support, humor, and compassion.
When Shelby was first diagnosed, she was determined to "beat the odds." There has yet to be anyone deemed a "survivor" of Glio, but Shelby certainly accomplished more in her fight than any of us could have hoped. Her courage and unflinching bravery in the face of the highs and lows that came with her treatment inspired us all. During this time, Shelby’s mantra became "Faith, Hope, and Love" – a mantra that all who knew Shelby will carry with them in her honor.
A celebration of Shelby's life will be held on Thursday, July 7th at 2 p.m. at The Factoria at Charles Point in Peekskill, NY.
If you'd like to honor Shelby's memory, feel free to make a donation to the National Brain Tumor Society in Shelby's name.
