Art educator Amanda Kelly, a McKinney ISD teacher who taught at Valley Creek Elementary, died suddenly on October 31. Her death was apparently the result of complications related to the flu virus, just days after loved ones say she fell ill.
Blynda Christian, a long-time friend and coworker of Kelly, said some people are born to teach, and Kelly was one.
“They have the ability to train others, educate others, but also to encourage,” she told NBC News. “She was a good listener. She brought out the best in you.”
Kelly was survived by her husband Brad and daughter Parker.
“Amanda was an amazing person and the best thing that I could have asked for,” said Brad In a statement. “She was truly a gift from God, and I cherished her for the 20+ years we were together.”
Kelly’s husband continued, “I thanked God every evening for her because she was a gift that I was not worthy of but He blessed me with. She touched the world through her love of art and to see the posts on social media just reinforced to me what a beautiful soul she was and how she reached people in the McKinney community and beyond.”
The grieving husband said of his wife, “She was so special, and the world is a little darker today than it was, but hopefully, the little artists that she connected with will continue her love of art and shine bright.”
Christian said she and Kelly worked together for 20 years organizing McKinney’s Krewe of Barkus parade, a Mardi Gras-themed event. She credited Kelly with “keeping [her] sane during a crazy week.”
“I can’t imagine doing that now,” Christian said. “This next year our theme is ‘Who are our superheroes?’ I know who mine is.”
Christian said she last spoke to her friend on the Saturday before Halloween to chat about the coming holiday and how the flu was driving Kelly crazy. She explained that after falling ill toward the end of the week, Kelly was rushed to the hospital with flu complications on Sunday. By Monday morning, Kelly was gone.
“We all just continue to be shocked and reeling, really,” said Christian.
Kelly was previously recognized as the school’s Teacher of the Year during the 2019/2020 school year, according to NBC News. The art teacher will be remembered for her unending support for organizations such as McKinney Youth on Stage, according to director Doug Valentine.
“She was one of those people that you want as a parent involved in a program,” Valentine said, adding Kelly volunteered for three years and did everything from concessions to tedious set design work.
“She was that behind-the-scenes person that you can always depend on, and I think she made a difference in everyone’s life,” he said.
Christian agreed with Valentine’s sentiment.
“I think Amanda was loved because of the kind of person she was,” said Christian. “She was one of the good ones.”
