Ellington

Senior oceanography major Celia Kelly was a cheerful presence both in and out of the laboratory, known as much for her scientific mind as for her crazy dancing or penchant for changing her hair color.

On March 22, Kelly died when a Toyota carrying her and four others collided head-on with a Honda near Taupo, New Zealand. Kelly was riding in the back seat and was killed instantly.

Two other UW students, Marie Salmi and Jessica Gowen, were injured in the collision and are recovering in a hospital, said Arthur Nowell, dean of the UW’s College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences. The other car occupants were treated at the scene, while three men in the Honda sustained moderate injuries, as reported by Television New Zealand.

The students had traveled to New Zealand on a 10-day research trip for the Ocean 443 and 444 research cruise through the School of Oceanography as a component of their senior thesis.

Kelly was detailing the distribution of trace metals in the plumes created by undersea volcanoes in order to better understand how much iron they contribute to the ocean, said Susan Hautala, an associate professor who was present on the cruise.

Following the 10-day research trip, the students dispersed to explore New Zealand on their own. The accident occurred during this vacation.

Kelly’s love affair with the ocean began more than six years ago when she entered the Seattle Aquarium’s High School Volunteer Program. Working as an exhibit interpreter, Kelly had a knack for making the sea accessible to even the most adamant landlubber.

“The one overriding thing about Celia is that no matter what was going on in her life, she made it fun,” said Sue Donohue Smith, guest experience manager at the Seattle Aquarium.

Anitra Ingalls, Kelly’s academic advisor in the School of Oceanography, remembered that Kelly approached her the first week of her freshman year in college. Ingalls was impressed by Kelly’s inquisitive, dedicated nature and offered the young scientist a job in her lab.

“She had a level of curiosity and commitment to her work that is rare in a person of her age,” Ingalls said. “But ... I always knew she had a wilder side. She often showed up to work with a new hair color: hot pink, green, blue, orange, purple — you name it.”

Kelly’s friends were more familiar with this facet of her personality. Roommate Margaret Smith described a person who could always be counted on for a silly moment or a late-night nacho run.

Family was also fundamentally important to Kelly, Smith said. Much of her free time was spent driving cousins to football practice, visiting her grandmother or quoting films with her younger cousin Omari.

“There are many, many people who have been touched by her life,” Kelly’s cousin Chelsea Kelly said. “Her death is tragic, yes, but her life is inspiring.”

A memorial service, dubbed a “celebration of life,” was held Thursday at the Seattle Aquarium.

Reach reporter Rachel Solomon at news@dailyuw.com.