Roll Call Tribute

Published in Austin American-Statesman on May 27, 2017

Kelli KONOPCZYK(1975 - 2017)
KONOPCZYK, Kelli Ann Kelli Ann Konopczyk, formerly Kelli Ann Tomerlin, a 42-year-old resident of Central Texas passed away, on May 24th, 2017. She was surrounded by family and love at the time of her passing. Kelli was born in 1975 in Orange County, California. She grew up in a Military family and was raised in California, Hawaii, and Arizona. She is a 1993 graduate of Cordova High School, located in Rancho Cordova, California. She is a 1998 graduate of Texas A&M University, located in College Station, TX, earning a bachelors degree in Political Science. Kelli later went on to work in non-profit organizations as an advocacy specialist and grass roots developer in Washington D.C. and New Jersey. Kelli was united by love and marriage in 2002 to David Matthew Konopczyk, of Mountaintop, Pennsylvania. Kelli and David extended their family in Maryland, by having a daughter, Mia Elise in 2004 and a son, Brennan Sadler in 2006. Kelli's children were her ultimate passion and love. In 2010, Kelli and her family relocated to Central, Texas. Kelli also leaves behind her parents, James Douglas Tomerlin and Dema Irene (Sadler) Tomerlin, her niece and nephew, Christopher Tyler Axtell and Mackenzie Jean Axtell, also of Central Texas, as well as scores of true friends and family. Kelli's sister, Kimberly Sue Axtell, passed away in 2012. They are now once again together as they once were so often in this world. Kelli is an intensely passionate person who loved her family and friends so much. She was generous with time and resources, always helping others. Before and even during her own illness, she continued to advocate for patients and cancer research, raising money and awareness for many non-profits locally and across the country. Kelli would want the world to know, as her friends already do, that while she lived and died by the disease of Metastatic Breast Cancer, it never took her spirit and appreciation for life. She has no regrets, she did all that she could do, she did not lose. Cancer did not beat her. By her own account, she lived a wonderful life and she was at peace and ready to join all those she lost before her. Kelli lived her life like we all shouldevery day matters, every moment counts. A remembrance and celebration of Kelli's life will be held at 11:00am on Friday, June 23rd, 2017 at the Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750, in the Worship Center. Kelli was passionate about philanthropy. Those wishing to honor Kelli, can please donate to the American Cancer Society , Breast Cancer Resource Center of Central Texas or Camp Kesem Texas A&M.