It is with deep sorrow that the family announce the passing of Kelly Gallagher Nick, who left this world on March 18, 2025, at the age of 57 after a fiercely brave nine year battle with cancer. (#fcancer!) Kelly passed peacefully at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, surrounded by her family and some of her dearest lifelong friends.
Kelly was born and raised in Culver City. She attended Culver City schools from kindergarten through her graduation with honors from Culver High where she gave the commencement address for her graduating class. She worked part time during high school at Surprise Store selling jeans and at Foster’s Freeze making ice cream sundaes.
Though they were close friends in the same class at Culver High, Kelly did not start dating her eventual husband Jack Nick until they both coincidentally chose to attend college at UCSB (go Gauchos!) from which Kelly graduated with honors as a sociology major. After graduation Kelly moved back to Culver City to attend graduate school at UCLA where she earned her master’s degree in education.
Although Kelly moved with her family to the South Bay, her Culver City roots remained deep. She frequently visited her parents and siblings and met friends for dinner at many Culver City restaurants.
Kelly was a devoted wife, proud mother of Michael and Jake Nick, and cherished daughter of Bill and Carol Gallagher. She was a loving sister to Adam Gallagher and Megan Worsley, and a caring aunt, cousin, mentor and confidante.
Kelly had a passion for teaching. She started working with children in high school as a volunteer camp counselor at Culver-Palms YMCA and was eventually hired as a summer day camp director. She worked for 20 years as a fourth and fifth grade teacher at Echo Horizon School in Culver City where she also taught an after-school drama class and led groups of students and their parents on trips to Washington D.C. and Williamsburg. She left the classroom to serve as a mentor for teachers in Los Angeles County schools, then worked as an educator for the non- profit organization Center for Powerful Schools, which emphasized diversity, equity and inclusion.
Kelly loved to travel. After her diagnosis she explored four continents. She learned Italian and explored her heritage through visits to Italy, and sought multi-cultural experiences on trips to Turkey, Morocco, and Botswana. She also enjoyed road trips with Jack to visit Yellowstone, Glacier and Banff national parks.
Kelly also loved live music. She was a devoted fan of Bruce Springsteen. She attended dozens of Bruce shows and was able to make a “pilgrimage” trip to New Jersey to visit Asbury Park and attend Springsteen’s show at the New Jersey Meadowlands.
Kelly was an advocate and activist for human rights, and was staunchly against hate of any kind. She lived with profound grace, facing her battle with cancer with fierce resilience, dignity, and an unwavering strength that inspired all who knew her. She will be forever loved, remembered, and missed, and the enormous, positive impact she made on her students, colleagues, friends and family will endure.
A celebration of Kelly’s life will be held at Vet’s park auditorium on June 14, 2025 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in her honor to the American Cancer Society.