Carolyn Diane Kelley Vacanti

Carolyn Diane (Kelley) Vacanti of Rancho Mirage, CA died on November 14, 2018 at UCSanDiego Jacobs Medical Center from complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which followed treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma a year prior.  Carolyn was born in San Francisco on October 10, 1948 to Richard Kelley DDS (d2004) and Lylian (Tossetti) Kelley and was raised in Burlingame, CA.  She graduated from Mills High School and had an Associate of Arts degree from the College of San Mateo in Cosmetology.  She subsequently worked her whole life as an expert hair stylist.  Carolyn married entertainer Nathan Vacanti (d2016) in 1972. They settled in Rancho Mirage almost 30 years ago.

Carolyn was the older sister of twins Diane Kelley MD of Novato and Richard Kelley Jr of Novato and Donna Kelley (d2009).  She is also survived by their mother, soon to be 95.  Carolyn was always happy that she shared her birthday with their Dad (as was he, of course).

Carolyn was always described as truly beautiful, kind, sweet, and generous by all who knew her.  She especially loved animals and owned many birds, rabbits, hamsters, and cats in her lifetime.  She fed feral cats in her neighborhood, as well as wild birds. She is survived by her cat, Munchie, who is currently in need of a new forever home.

A private memorial service is planned for December 29.  Donations in her name may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma  Society or Animal Samaritans of Thousand Palms.

Carolyn's family would like to thank and acknowledge the profound professionalism, expertise, and kindness of all the staff of the ICU at The Jacobs Medical Center of UCSan Diego.

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