The Winthrop community is still reeling from the passing of rising senior Gabrielle Leondra Kelly, who passed away on June 30. Gabrielle’s celebration of life was held on July 10 at Greater Faith Ministries Dream Center.
Gabrielle was a member of Winthrop’s dean’s list. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, participated in the Winthrop Gospel Choir and was a business administration major with a focus in healthcare management.
“She was so good. When we all say there’s a southern term from North Carolina in a small town, my grandmother used to always say, she’s a good egg. … Gabby was smart, she was quiet, just dedicated,” said Dr. Michael Matthews, professor of management and director of healthcare management.
“She had already been offered a full-time job. When she graduated in long-term care administration, the goal was for her to get her license to become a licensed administrator of assisted living in North Carolina,” Matthews said.
Gabrielle was known to always be in class and always on time.
“On Zoom, she always had a smile. I can’t tell you in class because we had masks. But she was respected by her colleagues,” Matthews said.
Every year, the health department has a poster board presentation.
“We have healthcare alumni, advisory board members, my being chair and myself and my projects. We go around and visit. It’s good to see what they did during their internships,” Matthews said.
This year, they have set up an extra table to honor Gabrielle’s memory at the event.
“And we want to have flowers at the table in a little memorial for Gabby for all spots if she can still be there with her classmates,” Matthews said.
“She valued family. She valued the opportunity to care for others. And you see that in her choice of work, you don’t go into long-term care and assisted living unless you value helping others. And that’s, in my short time, that was my experience,” Matthews said.
Gabrielle was in one of the first classes that assistant professor of healthcare management, Dr. Joanna Jackson, taught here at Winthrop.
“She definitely valued God and her relationship with God. I would hear her talk a lot about that,” Jackson said. “And her friends and family were really important to her too, her career was important…We didn’t talk a lot about material things, or how much money she was going to make … she was really good at making memories.”
Gabrielle’s presence will forever shine and has made a lasting impact on the Winthrop community.
The Counseling Center is available for students during this difficult time. They can be contacted at 803-323-2206.
