MADISON - Kelly Lynn (Disch) Zolinski of Madison, age 55, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. She was born on Nov. 25, 1968, in Madison, the daughter of Dale Disch and Katherine (Meyers) DeForest.

Kelly was a 1987 graduate of Madison East High School and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. She enjoyed a long career with Community Living Alliance as Director of the Community Integration Program (CIP/COP) where she assisted elderly and disabled individuals with maintaining their independence. She also volunteered for many local organizations that reflected her deep commitment to disability rights and animal rescue, adoption, and welfare.

To say Kelly left an impact on everyone who met her is an understatement. With her stunning smile, wicked sense of humor, fearlessness, and strongest of wills and spirit, she lived her life to the fullest - and on her terms. Of course, we’d love to say Kelly was, and still is, an inspiration, but she would humbly (and somewhat sarcastically) shrug her shoulders and laugh at the notion. She was simply and beautifully...Kelly. And to paint a full picture of what her essence is and was is impossible to do with these mere words.

Kelly made countless friends, travelled the world, and was passionate about her adopted rescue animals. Although she loved all of her animals, she had a special place in her heart for her service dog, Acorn, the golden retriever who accompanied her through college and beyond. Kelly enjoyed good food, fine dining, shopping, and possessed impeccable style and an eye for fashion. She adored her nephew, Aidan, and cherished time with her sisters, parents, and friends.

Kelly is survived by her parents and stepmother, Mary (Kessenich) Disch; her sisters, Kimberly (Richard Raatz) Disch Freeman and Amy (Enrico) Fantozzi; nephew, Aidan Freeman; former husband, Michael Zolinski; and her many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family offers deep, endless and heartfelt gratitude to Kelly’s caregiving friends, Tonja, Heather, Nicole, Deb, and Stormi.

A celebration of Kelly’s incredible life will be held in May, with further detail to come.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family, who will disburse them to the various non-profit animal rescue organizations Kelly supported. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Kelly Lynn Zolinski

November 25, 1968 - February 18, 2024

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