Alexa Frances Kelter
June 24, 2001 - October 23, 2023
With a heavy heart, our beloved Alexa Frances Kelter, after fighting an exemplary battle against Synovial Sarcoma, took her last breath in the early hours of October 23, 2023. She passed away at our home with family at her side. No words were left unsaid, and we did anything and everything to keep her comfortable, let her know how loved and supported she was and that we were proud of her every minute of every day. In her short 22 years of life, she taught us important life lessons.
Alexa did not accept defeat, fought her battles privately and continued to surprise everyone with all she accomplished. She showed tenacious grit and defied odds while enduring limb saving leg surgery, three lung surgeries, ongoing chemotherapy, a clinical trial, over fifty radiation cycles, seven collapsed lungs, brain surgery, immobility, loss of vision and lengthy hospital admissions. She repeatedly made comebacks after progression of the disease and teased these aggressive tumors with her beautiful smile.
Alexa was a goal-oriented person but was quiet in her pursuit of those goals…never boasting, always helping others to reach their goals and valued deep personal connections. She participated fully at Santa Clara University where she worked as a Calculus and Analytic Geometry grader, was co-President of Women in STEM, was VP of Outreach and On Campus Collaborations for her SCU Finance Association, was an Intermediate Microeconomics Teaching Assistant and secured a summer internship with a post-graduation offer for employment.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude this June and received a top honor in her Economics Department. She was an organizer, making her friends and family feel valued and special, planning fun things to do and making each day count. The words that everyone collectively would use to describe her would be loving and kind. She left indelible impressions with many across her lifetime. She was highly respected, loved, and cherished.
Alexa did not complain or share her battles with everyone. She did not want to burden others all while she endured unrelenting and grueling pain, treatments and surgeries. She was seen by a multitude of doctors from Mayo Clinic, Stanford Medical Center, City of Hope, Huntsman Cancer Center, and Primary Children’s Medical Center here at home. She kept her entire team on their toes with strong but gracious advocacy. She never missed an opportunity to thank those that cared for her.
Being with Alexa during her three-year battle has been a life-changing event for us. We learned so much from her. God was shining through her and we could feel the divine presence and aura. She was extraordinary. Please take inspiration, belief, and hope from our daughter, who actually has not died and will never die. She will continue to live in our hearts forever.
We ask that family and friends join her father, Ken; her mother, Laura; and her older sister Brynn in celebrating Alexa’s life on November 4, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Parish 300 East 11800 South in Draper. 1:30 pm Viewing and Recitation of the Holy Rosary in the Gathering Space with a celebration of the Funeral Mass following at 2:00 pm. We welcome everyone to our home for a reception afterwards.
In Loving Memory
You captured her beautifully with your words and so accurate. I am so glad she had all of you at her side.
A beautiful tribute for a beautiful person. Lexa, you are and always will be my forever best friend. We've grown together through each stage of our lives; we loved each other through childhood, adulthood, accomplishments and hardships. She has such a vibrant, loving, graceful soul that will live on forever in our hearts and minds. I am grateful she was surrounded by her family in her last moments, and that she knows how deeply loved she is by so many people. I know she's cuddling sweet Honeybun and Keiki now. Love you forever best friend<3
Alexa's presence in our lives predates Charlie's--making her a sister to Emily and a second daughter to me. She was a radiant beauty inside and out. Our whole family is filled with gratitude to have been blessed with her in our lives, and her legacy will be the example she set in her determination to live and love.
This was beautifully written. Alexa was a shining star and always had a big smile on her face. We loved our families celebrating masses together as well as dinners over the years. She was a smart determined young woman and had so many accomplishments in her short 22 years. We will miss her immensely. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers and we hope her ray of light shines down on you from the heavens. God Bless.
What an amazing tribute. Althoght I did not know Alexa personally, I feel I did by what you wrote about your daughter. I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers go out to you Laura and your entire family. Alexa will always be with you all in your hearts. God bless!
Laura and family, What a beautiful tribute to an extraordinary young woman. Your memories of Alexa will remain in your hearts forever. With all my love, Wendy Galante
Dear Laura & Family, I am sad not to have known Alexa, but happy that you, her family, were so blessed to call her daughter and sister. What a remarkable young woman, shining so brightly even in the darkest times. Her light will be with you always. Much love and thinking of you, Vikki
Alexa, Lexa, Lex, Leca. You are so loved. Your tenacious spirit and energy radiates off of any person that encountered you. You are so intelligent, creative, talented, beautiful, and so undeniably kind. You will always be in my heart and will always be my cousin (and my future kids aunt) forever to infinity. I love you. My deepest condolences to my Aunt Laura, Uncle Ken, and my cousin Brynn. I love you all so much.
Laura, Ken, and Brynn, A beautiful tribute. Alexa's heart, mind, spirit, and passion is what shines through each of you and all of us that had the privilege of meeting her. We love you all and Alexa. We will never forget and will honor her and each of you by always striving, never giving up, being kind, and leading forward with big hearts. ����
Alexa was a constant source of joy, humor, and genuine support throughout my life, for far longer than I can remember. I am so privileged to have loved and known such a stunningly humble, kind, loving individual who lived her life to the fullest despite facing challenges that most of us could not bear to face. Alexa will always be with us in our hearts, inspiring us to leave the best possible impact on the people and world around us, as she always did. I will miss her more than I can describe, but I know she is in a better place and is always looking out for us. Sending my deepest condolences.
Great lady will remember her forever cancer is bad she held a strong battle and with a great smile I remember her excitement in life God bless sorry for loss!
My heartfelt condolences to Ken, Laura, Brynn and family over the death of a beautiful soul, in Alexa. Given the life Alexa lived, I’m certain that when she was born, the angels and saints rejoiced over the newly born child because she would leave a legacy of profound impact on family and countless people who she touched throughout her life. It was a legacy of love, brilliance, compassion, courage and perseverance. Although my interaction with Alexa was only in her presence at Church activities where she always wore a smile that radiated joy and kindness, I mostly knew her through her father and mother who deeply love and are very proud of their girls. The tribute written about Alexa gives us an insight into her life before her illness and during her battle with such a rare disease. It is also a tribute to her parents who brought up Alexa with the values and attributes that would allow Alexa to embrace her cross with courage, humility and determination. Her grueling therapy did not deter her from completing her studies and did so in a most accomplished manner that is usually reserved for those who have no obstacles or critical medical issues. It is a time of sorrow for all who knew Alexa, but it is also a time to rejoice for the gift of beautiful and loving memories Alexa left for all. Moreover, she is a model for all of us as she ran the race of life to the fullest until her last breath. There are many lessons we can learn from her approach to life in times of joy, challenges and tragedy. The angels and saints are once again rejoicing but this time for Alexa’s homecoming as she joins them in the company of our Lord. Ken, Laura, Brynn, may God give you comfort and strength as you mourn the death of your beloved daughter and sister.
Dear Ken, Laura and Brynn, Our deepest condolences go out to you. May you find solace in the many cherished memories. We loved seeing so many of those in your video, just beautiful. Praying that you will experience the peace that passes all understanding. Much love, Jeannie and Mark Wronski
In Loving Memory
