Kilmer Mourns Loss of Student

The Kilmer Middle School community is mourning the loss of a classmate and student who lost a years-long battle with leukemia this week.

Brendan Kelly, 15, died last weekend after being ill for "some time," Principal Doug Tyson said in an email.

Kelly battled leukemia on and off for most of his life, a battle chronicled by the Connection Newspapers three years ago, when the then-12-year-old completed his latest round of chemotherapy.

For much of that time, Kelly, of Great Falls, called the Vienna Middle School home.

Teachers and staff said "we at the school will miss Brendan very much." 

Brendan's mother Maura said in a statement her son "was extremely happy at Kilmer and had a great time. Everyone welcomed him, took good care of him and we are so appreciative for that," she said.

"This gave our family a lot of peace and joy and we can’t thank everyone enough," she added.

A mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Catherine of Sienna in Great Falls, Va.

Tyson said "any death is difficult for an adolescent to understand; Brendan’s death is particularly difficult due to his young age and long battle with illness."

He said a crisis team — which includes the director of student services, school administrators, school counselors, a school social worker and the school psychologist — would be on hand this week to meet with students individually or in small groups.

"You may want to encourage your child to talk about how he or she feels and to share any fears or concerns that he or she may have as a result of hearing that a schoolmate has died," he said.

Kelly is survived by his parents, Francis and Maura Kelly; his brother Joseph Kelly and his sister, Mollie Kelly, an obituary says.

Friends, classmates and acquaintances started sharing their condolences beneath the obituary this week.

"Thank you for lighting the lives of so many and keeping your faith strong throughout your trials," Terry Haines said in an online message to the family.

Did you know Brendan Kelly? Share your memories in the comments.