Andrea Jeanette Rose Marshall Kelsey
November 8, 1941 – September 12, 2025

Andrea Jeanette Rose Marshall Kelsey was born on November 8, 1941, and peacefully passed away surrounded by family at her home in Hoopa, on September 12, 2025. She was the beloved daughter of Ernest C. Marshall and Rosalind Marion Risling Marshall.

During the 1970s, Andrea attended the University of California, where she earned a double major in Creative Writing (Letters and Science) and Native American Community Development (Applied Behavioral Sciences). She went on to serve as the administrative assistant for the Native American Language Project at D-Q University and later became an Outreach Officer for the University of California. She also served as Education Director for the Hoopa Valley Tribe.

From 1980 to 1985, Andrea was the Editor and Manager of Common Sense, a local Hoopa newspaper project. At the same time, she owned and operated a gift shop in Hoopa called I-Ee-Quee. She later moved to California’s Central Valley, where she served as Executive Director of Local Indians For Education (LIFE), Inc.

Andrea’s many accomplishments also reflected her passion for the arts, publications, and productions. She was an accomplished poet and playwright and enjoyed painting, traveling, and serving as a Presbyterian Church Chair and Youth Group Leader — among countless other pursuits she loved.

By her friends and family, she was called “Jen,” and in later years she was affectionately known as “Grummy” by her grandchildren. She was truly the coolest — fun, vibrant, and deeply curious. With a love for art, poetry, world history, politics, and philosophy, she was a captivating conversationalist. She generously shared her family’s traditional stories and songs with anyone who visited or asked. She could always find the magical, beautiful, and spiritual dimensions in this world and readily shared this perspective.

In the 1970s, she was a daring and passionate college student who participated in the Occupation of Alcatraz, climbing a fence to help reclaim a federal facility for the Indian college known as D-Q University — all while driving a brand new Ford Mustang. She was fun, and she was fun to be around.

Andrea was preceded in death by her brothers Ernest E. Marshall and Larry Marshall; her sister Ernestine Marshall Prindle; and her sons Dale Dalton Kelsey and Michael Robert Kelsey.

She is survived by her children Jene (Edward) Moore, Honor Kelsey-Tracy, and Alfred Kelsey; her grandchildren Morgan (Lyle) Tracy, Lawrence (Erika) Tracy, Kendall (Merv) Allen, Ryan Allen, Adam (Ashley) Allen, and Dale (Danielle) Kelsey Jr.; and her great-grandchildren Rian (Danger) and Taelyr Tracy; Chayden, Dayne, and Deja Baldy; Leila, Queen, Tashee, Isde:w, Diniwh, and Xodistl’o:n Tracy; Callen and Delmar George; Isaiah Campbell; Josiah and Elijah James; Alani and Aryah Allen; and Aiden and Jamison Kelsey. She is also survived by her sisters Darlene Marshall Hailey, Bonny Marshall Roberts, and Betty Marshall Hutt.

Pallbearers:

Alfred Kelsey, Adam Allen, Lawrence Tracy, Rian Tracy, Lyle Baldy Jr., Chayden Baldy, Dayne Baldy, Isaiah Campbell, Josiah James, Elijah James, Clifford Marshall, Jordan Hailey, Joey Hailey, Gordon (Sport) Surber, Wesley Hutt, Merv George Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers:

Dale Risling, Gary Risling, Edward Moore, Lyle Marshall, Barron Risling, Leslie Risling.

Andrea is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and we apologize to anyone who may have been unintentionally omitted.

A graveside service will be held at the Hoopa Tribal Cemetery on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow at the Hoopa Fire Hall.