Kelly Lee Tipton entered this world on October 6, 1980, in the middle of "Red October", an unforgettable time for her Delaware County family, as the Philadelphia Phillies captured the 1980 World Series Championship.

Little did her family know that just a few short years later, Kelly would begin a battle that would forever change the course of all of their lives.

Diagnosed with a rare brain cancer as a young child, Kelly faced more challenges in her lifetime than most people ever will. Yet through every surgery, treatment, setback, triumph, and unexpected turn, she remained the loving, courageous, fiercely independent, and unforgettable woman her family knew and cherished.

Kelly demonstrated that independence until the very end. After a lifetime of fighting, she decided, in her own way, when it was finally time to lay down her sword, surrounded and carried by the tremendous love of her family and friends.

Kelly was loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. As a child, she treasured her years attending Camp Can Do, where she formed lifelong friendships with other children who understood the unique experience of living with childhood cancer. Camp gave Kelly something especially precious in Missoula, Montana: a place where cancer did not have to define her and where she could simply be a kid.

Family, however, was always at the center of Kelly's world.

Some of her happiest childhood memories were the summers she spent in New Jersey with her aunt and cousins. She loved family vacations to the beach, trips to 3 Seasons Campground, visits to Janet and Bobby's for crabs with the Belmont's and Walls', adventures to the mountains, NASCAR races, and bowling nights where she proudly showed off her competitive streak. Nothing brought more joy to the holiday season like baking cookies at Grandmom's at cookie day and Kelly bringing the snacks and entertainment.

And then there was BINGO.

Kelly absolutely dominated BINGO at Fair Acres and DVRC, and she was never too shy to give a playful one-finger salute to anyone who earned it. She loved her Arizona Iced-Teas and don't you dare touch anything with her name on it.

She was her dad's right hand, happily pulling up crab traps filled with delicious Wye Mills blue claw crabs. Every now and then, she would cast a line alongside him and take particular satisfaction in outfishing her dad.

Kelly loved the Tipton family's legendary "Griswold" Christmas celebrations, learned to line dance with her Auntie Mel, and proudly belonged to the American Legion Women's Auxiliary and the Moose Lodge. She sang alongside her mom with the Crozerville Choir and had once been a Girl Scout. Kelly had a few part-time jobs at Burger King and Chick-fil-a, but she did not like squeezing the lemons.

And anyone who truly knew Kelly knew there was always room for a strawberry milkshake, especially enjoyed in her final days.

There simply wasn't much that could stop Kelly from doing what Kelly wanted to do.

Whether it was a family gathering, an adventure, an inside joke, a shared meal, or simply sitting together and laughing, those seemingly ordinary moments became extraordinary memories that her family will carry forever.

A 2000 graduate of Sun Valley High School, Kelly found great joy working with children through the Aston Vo-Tech Childcare Program. The experience reflected the nurturing heart she had always possessed and prepared her for what would eventually become one of the most treasured roles of her life: Aunt Kelly.

Kelly also loved to travel. She enjoyed numerous cruises and adventures out West with a former partner and especially loved returning to Missoula, Montana, where the mountain views always seemed to feel like home. She also treasured trips to Phoenix, Arizona, to visit family, particularly her beloved Aunt Shirley.

Music brought Kelly joy throughout her life. She was a devoted fan of Dirty Dancing and The Sound of Music, and she never, nor did she ever need to, outgrow her love for Winnie the Pooh.

At six years old, Kelly received another title she carried proudly for the rest of her life: big sister.

When her younger sister was born, Kelly even helped choose her name, Melissa.

Their lives would take a path neither of them could possibly have understood as children, but Kelly's life and journey would profoundly shape the woman her little sister would eventually become.

And as much as Kelly loved being a sister, nothing compared to becoming an aunt.

Kelly absolutely adored Jayce, Karlie-her "Kar Kar"-Caylee, and Owen. They brought immeasurable joy and purpose to her life. She was endlessly proud of them and cherished every opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments, birthdays, milestones, and everyday moments.

Long before she officially became an aunt, Kelly had plenty of practice with her younger cousins. Caring for children came naturally to her, and when her nieces and nephews finally arrived, she eagerly helped care for them whenever she could.

Of all the titles Kelly collected during her life, "Aunt Kelly" was undoubtedly one of her greatest honors.

Kelly's childhood was filled with cousins, laughter, family, and love. Several of those cousins, including Lisa, Michael, and Michelle, went before her, and her family takes comfort in imagining those long-awaited reunions.

Kelly will also be welcomed into eternal peace by the many beloved family members who preceded her in death, including Poppy Tipton, Granny Tipton, Grandmom Park, Pop Pop Snider, Grandmom Winn, Poppy Winn, Aunt Sandy, Aunt Shirley, Auntie Ceil, Faith, Bobby and Janet, Jimmy, and so many others who loved her throughout her life.

And her family has little doubt that her beloved Uncle Ed will be waiting to escort her through Heaven's gates.

If there were one word capable of describing Kelly Lee Tipton, it would be:

Courageous.

There is no one her family knows who carried life's hardships with greater resilience, determination, and strength.

Kelly endured lifelong medical challenges with a bravery that inspired everyone around her. Again and again, life asked her to fight-and again and again, Kelly answered.

But her diagnosis was never the entirety of her story.

Kelly was boisterous.

She was funny.

She was stubborn.

She was assertive.

She was competitive.

She was nurturing.

She was fiercely independent.

She loved deeply.

And best of all, she was unapologetically Kelly.

Those who knew and loved her will remember her infectious sense of humor, unmistakable personality, fierce determination, and extraordinary ability to keep moving forward despite circumstances that would have defeated many others.

Kelly leaves behind far more than memories. She leaves a legacy of perseverance, courage, unconditional love, and a lesson her family will carry for the rest of their lives:

There was nothing that stopped Kelly from doing what she wanted to do.

Kelly is survived by her devoted parents, Doris and Steve Tipton; her loving sister, Melissa Creedon; her brother-in-law, Brody Creedon; her cherished nieces and nephews, Jayce, Karlie ("Kar Kar"), Caylee, and Owen; her beloved Grandmom Winn, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were made brighter simply because Kelly was part of them. To Aunt Mel, Theresa, Aunt Pat and Uncle Dickie, your unwavering support throughout this journey cannot be measured. Kelly had her most trusted support system right by her side up until she made her final journey.

She was preceded in death by her beloved fur siblings, Holly and Charlie "Chuck" Tipton, along with the many treasured family members who now welcome her home.

In Kelly's Memory

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to Camp Can Do, an organization that gave Kelly something invaluable during her childhood: friendship, understanding, unforgettable memories, and a place where she was free to simply be a child.

Camp Can Do serves children ages 8-17 who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as their siblings, creating a place where children facing extraordinary circumstances can experience friendship, laughter, adventure, and the freedom to simply be kids.

Camp Can Do 2014, Inc.

67 Golf Club Drive

Langhorne, PA 19047

Donate to Camp Can Do in Kelly's memory⁠

Supporting Camp Can Do is a meaningful way to ensure that another child facing cancer can experience the same sense of belonging, friendship, and childhood joy that meant so much to Kelly.

After a lifetime of fighting, Kelly can finally lay down her sword. Her battle is over. Her courage remains. And she will be loved, remembered, and carried with us forever. 

Visitation: Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home, 5980 Chichester Ave., Aston, PA 19014. Funeral Service: Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home. Burial: Private.

Kelly's Service will be streamed. The stream can be accessed using the link and password below. 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87325206398?pwd=tRu3nR4vXvbcj2DUx8JMk2kWMAWx4V.1

Meeting ID: 873 2520 6398
Passcode: Tipton