Physiotherapist Jill Depledge has written an obituary commemorating her fellow physiotherapist and friend Kelly Rosie.

Kelly graduated from the first year of the degree program at AUT in 1994. She looked back in recent times very fondly on these years and the great friendships made. We remember her from our student days for her huge smile and enormous zest for life.

Kelly worked in musculoskeletal private practice in New Zealand for a short time before spending ten years working in a variety of (primarily orthopaedic) roles in the USA, UK and Australia. She returned home in 2005 and worked in South Auckland in between periods of maternity leave.

In 2010 after the birth of her third child Kelly was diagnosed with breast cancer and took some time out of the profession to concentrate on her health. She still managed to become heavily involved as a volunteer at Karaka school – she was chair of the PTA and ran a remedial reading programme; and was also Patron of the Karaka Playcentre.

Despite ongoing health issues, in 2018 Kelly chose to go through the recertification process and return to practicing physiotherapy. She completed several courses and worked in the aged care sector with particular interest in the benefits of exercise in the older population.

Wherever Kelly worked she threw herself into organising things to make life more fun for those around her –

parties, trips and events. She loved the outdoors – just one month before she passed away, while facing mounting health challenges, she managed to walk the Milford Track with her family.

She fought an incredibly brave battle with her illness, maintaining an astoundingly positive outlook despite the challenges she was facing. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and will be sorely missed.

Above all else Kelly’s number one love was her family, whom she adored. Our thoughts are with her husband Cameron and children William, Alice and Emma.