In memory of Kious Kelly, a nurse hero
Donation protected
Kious Kelly is a New York City nurse who passed away on 3/24/2020 at 11 pm from the coronavirus. He was intubated for a week in the ICU before he succumbed to the virus.
Kious is known by many of his colleagues for his passion for nursing and his selfless personality. He is always there is save the day of a troubled patient, distressed family member and overwhelmed colleagues. His leadership skills promoted him from a nurse to a nurse assistant manager. He is always ready to problem-solve, share his wisdom and advocate for the nursing team. He is a big-hearted man who never fails to care and always strives to understand. His friends and colleagues enjoys his presence for his light-heartedness and great sense of humor! Kious is as theatrical and as funny as he can be! He is a joy to be around.
Kious left behind his family, parents, sister, and many loved ones. Kious used to take flights on the weekend when he could visit and care for his parents with failing health. The 10B nurses in Mount Sinai West started this fund, knowing many of his friends, colleagues, and acquaintances wants to contribute to ease the burden of the family from his sudden passing. Your generous donations will go to alleviate some of the financial expenses for his funeral.
Below are outpouring tributes for Kious written by many of whom their lives he had touched.
"I can’t talk. I don’t know how to do this. We had plans...we were going to build a tiny house on our parents property. I’m angry. He was healthy. I know he’s in heaven. I know I will see him again. I know people die every day. I know many of you have endured loss. My God! I had no idea...the pangs of pain are excruciating. O, James. My big brother....it’s hard to breathe." - Marya Patrice Sherron (sister)
"This is so unbelievably sad and unreal to me! I spent times of my childhood with James-Kious and his sister Marya Patrice Sherron & Tania Curtiss our Mom’s are great friends and when they got together well... us kids did and played together! This hurts my soul #stayhome #covid19kills" - Jena Joy Flynn
"He was one of the most perfect human beings I have ever met. He made nursing school easy. He loved unconditionally and he was a joy to be around. Selfless and giving. Kious, you are gone but never forgotten. Words fail me. Know that you will be sorely missed. Love you always." -Adesuwa Iduwe Omoragbon
"First day back to work today and I’m trying to hide the pain. There were a lot friends and co workers who stop by the office, received a lot of text and email messages. I was waiting for you to come to work at 11AM. An hour had passed still no Kious. It’s getting real you’re not coming back. I finish my day wondering what to do next. We have a lot of projects together, we also have a lot of plans for the staff." - Janet Rodriguez (coworker)
"Rest In Peace Kious Kelly. You have touched so many lives. You will be in my heart forever." - Janet Rodriguez
His heart and love for the field was something I can’t put into words but can only marvel at his dedication. Not only was he empathetic for his patients but I’ve seen him bring joy into desolate rooms, dance around the hallways, and give out candy not only to nurses but physicians (nurses would get that joke lol). He would sing random old school songs that I never knew but always brought a smile to everyone who he came in contact with. Most of all I’ve seen him be his true self on the very rough days, as he never held back the truth but always delivered it with passion and honesty (along with many hand gestures and facial expressions lol). We worked together for a short summer. But became the best of friends. He pushed me to come out of my comfort zone and live life unapologetically. I can’t believe you’re gone.Thank you for your service. You gave up your life to save another. Perfect example of Jesus. Can’t wait till I see you again.
Kious was a true hero. #pleasestayhome" - Kayris Courtenay
"This photo says it all about my friend, Kious Kelly - the nurse in NYC who passed away from Covid-19 because of a failure of our administration to get our health care professionals proper PPE. If he was going to do something, he was invested.
This was Halloween 2007. We dressed up as “pop-culture icons.” I was lazy and bought a green fedora and dressed as Justin Timberlake. Kious went ALL OUT and came as “young Tina Turner.” As the night wore on, nobody guessed who he was correctly. Half way through our shift, I teased him about his Tina costume, and without missing a beat, he said, “Oh sweetie. Tina Turner was an hour ago. I’m Beyoncé now...” and he left me laughing.
He made me laugh a lot. The testimonials you can read about him are true. He cared, he went out of his way, and he could make you laugh or bring you down if needed when you were acting a fool. This administration and the CDC failed. My friend is gone. Now it’s time for this do-nothing administration to be gone too." - Phil Robert
"You are a human and a phenomenal nurse. You always understood and cared. You are so kind that even angels want to befriend you. Today is the saddest day for 10B nurses. You are one of the strongest pillar of support for us and now you are gone. You always fought for us and the patients. You are there at every rapid response/ code to support the team. You always advocate for nurses. You do what you can with all your heart and we felt it.
We love you but patient love you more. You would run down to the closet convenience store to buy hearing aid batteries for a distressed patient who is hard of hearing. You listened to us and are sensitive to our needs. You bought a splint for a pregnant nurse because her wrist was hurting her. You spread compassion, happiness and kindness everywhere you go. “People will forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel...” We will never forget how you made us feel. We will never forget you.. #ripnurseKious
It’s a shame that your life is cut short. This did not need to happen, you did not have to die. Kious is a life-force multiplier. He is full of life days ago and today he is gone. This is a life lost in vain. Many lives are sacrificed by the poor management of this COVID-19 crisis. This has to stop. Lives over profits. Humanity over politics." - Joanne Loo
"GONE TOO SOON...You were more than just a nurse, you were everything, everywhere, always trying your best, tired but still going. No matter how bad or what we did or said you stood by and heard us...these past few weeks too much to handle but still you tried YOUR VERY BEST...YOU WERE A WARRIOR AND WE LOST A GREAT FIGHTER DURING THIS WAR...I WON’T FORGET US ROLLING OUR EYES BECAUSE WE BOTH THOUGHT WE WERE OVERREACTING AND THEN I WOULD LAUGH AND SAY WHY DOES HE HAVE TO BE SO DRAMATIC
We will continue this fight in your honor and continue to work as hard as you did...ALWAYS!!! and I just hope we don’t all have to join you so soon...but you are in a better place now...next to the angels...with all the help and all the good things you did in life for others until you couldn’t anymore...YOU EARNED A SPECIAL PLACE IN PARADISE BUT PLEASE CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER US AND CONTINUE TO PROTECT US!!!
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND " - Diana Torres
REST IN PEACE KIOUS... you are an inspiration to us. Thank you for your dedication to nursing. We love you and will never forget you <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8biabF96hBs
Kious is known by many of his colleagues for his passion for nursing and his selfless personality. He is always there is save the day of a troubled patient, distressed family member and overwhelmed colleagues. His leadership skills promoted him from a nurse to a nurse assistant manager. He is always ready to problem-solve, share his wisdom and advocate for the nursing team. He is a big-hearted man who never fails to care and always strives to understand. His friends and colleagues enjoys his presence for his light-heartedness and great sense of humor! Kious is as theatrical and as funny as he can be! He is a joy to be around.
Kious left behind his family, parents, sister, and many loved ones. Kious used to take flights on the weekend when he could visit and care for his parents with failing health. The 10B nurses in Mount Sinai West started this fund, knowing many of his friends, colleagues, and acquaintances wants to contribute to ease the burden of the family from his sudden passing. Your generous donations will go to alleviate some of the financial expenses for his funeral.
Below are outpouring tributes for Kious written by many of whom their lives he had touched.
"I can’t talk. I don’t know how to do this. We had plans...we were going to build a tiny house on our parents property. I’m angry. He was healthy. I know he’s in heaven. I know I will see him again. I know people die every day. I know many of you have endured loss. My God! I had no idea...the pangs of pain are excruciating. O, James. My big brother....it’s hard to breathe." - Marya Patrice Sherron (sister)
"This is so unbelievably sad and unreal to me! I spent times of my childhood with James-Kious and his sister Marya Patrice Sherron & Tania Curtiss our Mom’s are great friends and when they got together well... us kids did and played together! This hurts my soul #stayhome #covid19kills" - Jena Joy Flynn
"He was one of the most perfect human beings I have ever met. He made nursing school easy. He loved unconditionally and he was a joy to be around. Selfless and giving. Kious, you are gone but never forgotten. Words fail me. Know that you will be sorely missed. Love you always." -Adesuwa Iduwe Omoragbon
"First day back to work today and I’m trying to hide the pain. There were a lot friends and co workers who stop by the office, received a lot of text and email messages. I was waiting for you to come to work at 11AM. An hour had passed still no Kious. It’s getting real you’re not coming back. I finish my day wondering what to do next. We have a lot of projects together, we also have a lot of plans for the staff." - Janet Rodriguez (coworker)
"Rest In Peace Kious Kelly. You have touched so many lives. You will be in my heart forever." - Janet Rodriguez
His heart and love for the field was something I can’t put into words but can only marvel at his dedication. Not only was he empathetic for his patients but I’ve seen him bring joy into desolate rooms, dance around the hallways, and give out candy not only to nurses but physicians (nurses would get that joke lol). He would sing random old school songs that I never knew but always brought a smile to everyone who he came in contact with. Most of all I’ve seen him be his true self on the very rough days, as he never held back the truth but always delivered it with passion and honesty (along with many hand gestures and facial expressions lol). We worked together for a short summer. But became the best of friends. He pushed me to come out of my comfort zone and live life unapologetically. I can’t believe you’re gone.Thank you for your service. You gave up your life to save another. Perfect example of Jesus. Can’t wait till I see you again.
Kious was a true hero. #pleasestayhome" - Kayris Courtenay
"This photo says it all about my friend, Kious Kelly - the nurse in NYC who passed away from Covid-19 because of a failure of our administration to get our health care professionals proper PPE. If he was going to do something, he was invested.
This was Halloween 2007. We dressed up as “pop-culture icons.” I was lazy and bought a green fedora and dressed as Justin Timberlake. Kious went ALL OUT and came as “young Tina Turner.” As the night wore on, nobody guessed who he was correctly. Half way through our shift, I teased him about his Tina costume, and without missing a beat, he said, “Oh sweetie. Tina Turner was an hour ago. I’m Beyoncé now...” and he left me laughing.
He made me laugh a lot. The testimonials you can read about him are true. He cared, he went out of his way, and he could make you laugh or bring you down if needed when you were acting a fool. This administration and the CDC failed. My friend is gone. Now it’s time for this do-nothing administration to be gone too." - Phil Robert
"You are a human and a phenomenal nurse. You always understood and cared. You are so kind that even angels want to befriend you. Today is the saddest day for 10B nurses. You are one of the strongest pillar of support for us and now you are gone. You always fought for us and the patients. You are there at every rapid response/ code to support the team. You always advocate for nurses. You do what you can with all your heart and we felt it.
We love you but patient love you more. You would run down to the closet convenience store to buy hearing aid batteries for a distressed patient who is hard of hearing. You listened to us and are sensitive to our needs. You bought a splint for a pregnant nurse because her wrist was hurting her. You spread compassion, happiness and kindness everywhere you go. “People will forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel...” We will never forget how you made us feel. We will never forget you.. #ripnurseKious
It’s a shame that your life is cut short. This did not need to happen, you did not have to die. Kious is a life-force multiplier. He is full of life days ago and today he is gone. This is a life lost in vain. Many lives are sacrificed by the poor management of this COVID-19 crisis. This has to stop. Lives over profits. Humanity over politics." - Joanne Loo
"GONE TOO SOON...You were more than just a nurse, you were everything, everywhere, always trying your best, tired but still going. No matter how bad or what we did or said you stood by and heard us...these past few weeks too much to handle but still you tried YOUR VERY BEST...YOU WERE A WARRIOR AND WE LOST A GREAT FIGHTER DURING THIS WAR...I WON’T FORGET US ROLLING OUR EYES BECAUSE WE BOTH THOUGHT WE WERE OVERREACTING AND THEN I WOULD LAUGH AND SAY WHY DOES HE HAVE TO BE SO DRAMATIC
We will continue this fight in your honor and continue to work as hard as you did...ALWAYS!!! and I just hope we don’t all have to join you so soon...but you are in a better place now...next to the angels...with all the help and all the good things you did in life for others until you couldn’t anymore...YOU EARNED A SPECIAL PLACE IN PARADISE BUT PLEASE CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER US AND CONTINUE TO PROTECT US!!!
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND " - Diana Torres
REST IN PEACE KIOUS... you are an inspiration to us. Thank you for your dedication to nursing. We love you and will never forget you <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8biabF96hBs
Fundraising team: MSW & 10B family (2)
Joanne Loo
Organizer
New York, NY
Marya Sherron
Beneficiary
Marya Sherron
Team member