On the evening of July 11, 2026, my husband, Thomas Kelley, unexpectedly passed away, leaving our family completely heartbroken.

Tom leaves behind me, his wife of 14 years, and our two incredible children, Rylee (15) and Reese (8).

We met in high school in 2009 when we were just 16 and 17 years old. From the moment we met, we were inseparable. We grew up together, built a life together, became parents together, and shared 17 beautiful years. We truly believed we had so much more time. We had plans, dreams, and a future we were still building. Seventeen years will never feel like enough. We deserved at least 60 more years of each other.

Tom was the sole provider for our family, and just one year ago we achieved our dream of buying our first home. As we try to navigate this unimaginable loss, I am asking for help to cover funeral expenses and to provide stability for our children while we adjust to life without him. Every donation, no matter the amount, will go directly toward those expenses and helping our family through the difficult months ahead.

Tom dedicated the last 10 years of his life as a Correctional Officer at Stateville Correctional Center. That career wasn’t just a job to him, it was part of who he was. He was incredibly proud to wear that uniform and was preparing for the next step in his career as a Sergeant, something he had worked toward for years.

To those outside of corrections, it’s hard to understand the bond that forms behind those walls. His fellow officers weren’t just coworkers, they were his family. They stood beside each other through things most people will never experience, and today they are grieving alongside us. I know Tom’s memory will continue to live on through every brother and sister he served with.

If you knew Tom, you knew his quiet strength, his loyalty, and the way he would do anything for the people he loved. He was an incredible husband, a devoted father, a loyal friend, and someone who left an impact wherever he went.

Thank you for every donation, every prayer, every kind word, and every memory shared. Your love and support mean more to my family than I could ever put into words as we learn to face a future we never imagined without Tom.