Kelly Nellis McLean died on March 3, 2010 at the age of 12 from an unexpected complication following tracheal reconstructive surgery she underwent in January. Kelly was a 6th grade student at the Galvin Middle School and a graduate of the Walton Elementary School. She leaves her parents, Sharon and Frank McLean and an older sister, Megan, a member of the Wakefield High School Class of 2013.
Kelly was an active young girl who enjoyed swimming for the Bear Hill Swim Team and the Woburn Boys and Girls Club Swim Team. She was also active in the Wakefield Youth Soccer Program playing goalie/defense and was a volunteer for the Galvin Middle School Best Buddies Program. She was best known for her bravery and her beauty including her brilliant smile. Kelly especially loved her two cats, Lizzie and Logan.
Although only 12 years old, Kelly knew she wanted to be a nurse as she was always interested in anything related to the hospital and medical fields. Her family has asked that scholarships awarded in Kelly’s name have a preference for a student studying medicine.
Scholarship Recipients
2025
- Isabella Birchem — Northeastern University
- Natalie Chankhour — Gordon College
- Justin Chea — Mass College of Pharmacy & HS
- Wisely Chea — Mass College of Pharmacy & HS
- Olivia Guzman — University Of New England
- Hawa Sheriff — Mass College of Pharmacy & HS
- Humu Sheriff — Mass College of Pharmacy & HS
- Alexandra Strongosky — Binghamton University
2024
- Francesca Frate — Endicott College
- Mitchell Kennedy — University of Massachusetts Chan Med Sch
- Miranda Macaluso — Providence College
- Vanessa Moran — University of Massachusetts – Amherst
- Kayli Porter — St. Anselm College
- Emily Pudvah — Boston College
- Hawa Sheriff — MA College of Pharmacy & Health Science
- Senila Yasmin — Tufts University School of Medicine
2023
- Lily Brotherton — University of Connecticut
- Reagan Cleversey — Simmons University
- Mitchell Kennedy — University of Massachusetts Chan Med Sch
- Panagiota Koutroubis — University of Massachusetts – Amherst
- Hope Melanson — Connecticut College
- Akshita Nistala — Smith College
- Senila Yasmin — Tufts University School of Medicine