Marsha Kelsey Edmonds

Marsha Kelsey Edmonds, 73, died in her home on February 10, 2022 in Vero Beach, Florida.

Known for her lively, energetic, and generous spirit, she will be remembered for her love of the water, of flowers, and especially, of her family.

Born in 1948 in Los Angeles to Janet White Kelsey and William Kelsey Junior, Marsha spent her childhood years in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Stratford, Connecticut was home port of the

family’s cruiser, Thunderhead IV. It was here, and on Long Island’s North Shore that Marsha developed what would become a lifelong interest in sailing, gunkholing, and dinghies. In 1963, she and her family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There, Marsha took to the water by swimming, water skiing, and operating a Bertram 22 powerboat.

She graduated from Pine Crest School in 1965 and is an alumna of Broward College (previously, Junior College of Broward County) where she majored in elementary education. Marsha met Andrew Edmonds in 1977 in Osterville, Mass. They married in 1980 in Key Largo, Fl., and moved to Vero Beach, Fl. in 1985. Marsha and Andrew enjoyed cruises on their boats, train tours, excursions to antique car shows and driving with best friends on Brass & Gas tours. They were members of the Key Largo Anglers Club, the Ocean Reef Club, and the Quail Valley Golf and River Club.

Marsha had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. She enjoyed time with family and friends on trips that ranged from exploring the icebergs of Alaska to climbing through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda to be face to face with mountain gorillas.

Life in Vero Beach suited Marsha. She cherished the Florida sunshine and prized a sportive lifestyle. She was a skilled windsurfer. She was an active member of the Quail Valley Golf Club, where she enjoyed friendships and played her beloved sport, tennis. She was the queen of the courts at Quail Valley and was very proud of her three charity cup wins during the annual Quail Valley Charity Cup Tournament. On weekends, she loved inviting friends for a picnic and to cruise along Vero’s beautiful intracoastal waterways onboard The Eagle.

Marsha loved staying in touch with and spending time with her extended family. She organized several large family gatherings over the years and visited her siblings, grandchildren, nieces, nephew, great-nieces and great-nephews whenever possible. She adored children and had a way of tapping into her inner child: She remained involved with her family’s younger generations and delighted in their company.

Marsha’s tender heart included a soft spot for animals. For several years, she owned a pair of miniature horses, which she took to shows and shared with children’s charity programs. Throughout their marriage, she and Andrew provided a loving home to many rescue mastiffs. The couple were devotees of the tiger population at Central Florida Animal Reserve.

Marsha was a devoted wife to Andrew and served as his caregiver in the past two years after he experienced significant health issues. She is survived by Andrew; brothers, William Kelsey III and Jonathan Kelsey; sister, Suzanne Kelsey; as well as five nieces, a nephew, and many beloved great-nieces and great-nephews; stepson, Andrew Edmonds, Jr. and his wife Maura; grandchildren, Barbara and Andrew Edmonds.

Marsha’s family miss her greatly. They will miss hearing the sound of her mellifluous voice. They will think of her when they see orchids in bloom, colorful flowers, feel the warmth of sun on their skin, or view the ocean stretching out to the horizon.

Donations in memory of Marsha can be made to the Central Florida Animal Reserve (CFAR), https://cflar.org/support-cfar/donate-to-central-florida-animal-reserve/ , the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E40254&id=11 or the Hibiscus Children’s Center, https://hibiscuschildrenscenter.org/.

Services will be held for Marsha at the du Pont Family Chapel with internment to follow at the duPont de Nemours Cemetery on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 3pm. 215 Buck Rd., Greenville, Del. 19807.

Plans are underway for a celebration of Marsha’s life in Vero Beach on March 5, 2022.