Kelly Diane Wilson

KELLY DIANE WILSON “Dynamo” and “a force to be reckoned with” are among the many loving terms grieving family and friends are using to share their memories of Kelly Diane Wilson, who left us on March 30, 2021. Bearing a keen sense of humor and a piercing, searing wit, she was what the lyrics to a song suggest: “the raw flame, the live wire.” A spirit of adventure animated Kelly, in her too few years with us she ventured from Laguna Hills, where she was born on July 1, 1993, to Newport Coast, Dana Point, and on to San Francisco, Santa Fe (New Mexico), and Steamboat Springs (Colorado), before settling in San Clemente two years ago. Wherever Kelly was, animals were sure to be part of the picture — she had an affinity for all creatures great and small. Starting at nine she competed in equestrian events with her quarter horse mare, Cricket. She surrounded herself with dogs, cats, hamsters, canaries, an African grey parrot, even reptiles like Newton the newt, who lived to a ripe old 11 years! Her most recent companion and source of joy was her cat, Lenny, whom she’d rescued while in Steamboat Springs and brought with her to San Clemente. Kelly had the discerning eye of an artist for style, color, and composition; she was a natural as a cosmetologist and completed training with Paul Mitchell eight years ago. She endeared herself to clients with her innate ability to comfort and put them at ease and entertained them with her vibrant good humor. Described as “the Life of the Party,” Kelly was often urged to consider trying “stand-up” comedy or at least writing down her witticisms. As adept as she was at spotting and bringing forth beauty in others, her humility and shyness seem to make her unable to appreciate that at 5’9,” she was truly gorgeous. Kelly found comfort and peace for herself in Yoga, which she devoutly practiced for years. She often said that in stressful times she would turn to the calming thoughts that came from Yoga. She was about to undertake a rigorous program to become a Yoga instructor herself. Her passing is a devastating loss for her father, Dr. Woodrow & Paulette Wilson; her Mother, Pamela Van Heuver & Dr. Ron Forgey; and her Brother, Paul & Cassie Wilson, along with newborn nephew Reid; her Aunt Jann Van Heuver; and for all who were blessed to have known her.