Kelsey H. Durkin, 21, of New Canaan, CT died Tuesday, December 3, 2013 from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Virginia while a senior student at Washington & Lee University. Born January 1, 1992 in New York City, Kelsey was the beloved daughter of Laura Clement Durkin and Jay Durkin. Kelsey graduated with honors in 2010 from New Canaan High School as a member of the National Honor Society. Kelsey was also the recipient of the Team Jim Scholarship that year. As a senior defenseman for the New Canaan ice hockey team, they won both state and county titles in 2010, bringing their total state title wins to three for her high school career. She also won county and state titles in 2010 as a senior defender for the New Canaan soccer team. At Washington & Lee, Kelsey was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, a participant in the Volunteer Venture Pre-Orientation Program then selected to lead these trips for incoming students for three years working up to senior leader, a member of the Relay for Life committee and a provisional member of the DAR. She also had a Shepherd internship at Camp Interactive in 2012 serving as a leader and mentor to low-income youth in the Bronx. Kelsey was a dedicated student majoring in biology who planned to pursue a career in biotechnology. Kelsey was also minoring in poverty studies and had an active role in the Shepherd Program. Kelsey was known as generous, inclusive and compassionate. She always put her friends before herself, sincerely delighting in the joy of others. She deeply cared about helping fellow students and others of all ages and background. Kelsey had a passion for music, always discovering new songs and sharing them with everyone. She had an incredible appetite for life, bringing positive energy to all that she did. Most of all, Kelsey was a big sister and a best friend to her brother Charles, a freshman at Sewanee. She adored and spoiled her golden retrievers, Crash and Dixie. In addition to her parents and Charles, Kelsey is survived by her maternal grandfather, John D. Clement Jr. of Muscle Shoals, AL, her aunt Lynn Clement and cousin Abby Archer of Plano, Texas. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 20th at 11:00 at St. Marks Church, Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for contributions to be made to one of the following: The "Kelsey Durkin Fund" in support of the Shepherd Poverty Program at Washington & Lee University. or An Athletic Scholarship Fund to be established in Kelsey’s name that will award annually a female scholar athlete from New Canaan High School, in memory of Kelsey Durkin c/o New Canaan High School, 11 Farm Rd., New Canaan, CT 06840 For online condolences and directions visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com Friday December 20, 2013 , 11:00AM at St. Mark's Episcopal Church Click for Map and Directions