Email  Print

Chelsey Clarke Horne

June 13, 2011

Chelsey Clarke Horne, 26, passed away on June 13, 2011, after almost five years of an inspiring life, despite the challenges of melanoma. A Type-1 diabetic for more than 20 years, she considered her greatest accomplishment to be leading a group of diabetic teenagers 110 miles to the top of Mt. Whitney. The ascent of Mt. Whitney is a bi-annual trek sponsored by Bearskin Meadow Camp, an educational and recreational program for children with diabetes and their families located in Kings Canyon National Park; this camp was a focal point in her life. For 19 summers, she was there first as a camper, then as a counselor and ultimately as a staff member; and last summer, Chelsey was honored to be the head of its Leaders in Training Program.

Chelsey was born Jan. 26, 1985, in Marin County and moved to Sonoma at age 5. She attended Prestwood Elementary School, The Presentation School and then Justin-Siena High School in Napa, graduating with the Class of 2003. She played third base for the Justin-Siena Braves, winning the coaches award for her team spirit and talent in the "Hot Corner." In 2006, she returned home from the University of Colorado, Boulder to undergo a number of cancer treatments.

An avid student, she enrolled in University of San Francisco to pursue a business degree while under medical care. She worked at Paper Source on Chestnut Street for three years, the perfect place for a young woman who loved all things beautiful, creative and crafty. She showered her family and friends with thoughtfully selected cards and exquisitely wrapped gifts; always the perfect hand-picked present.

She loved everything yellow - the San Francisco Giants, Gloria Ferrer champagne, Kate Spade sunglass and especially, paper stores and bookstores. A talented curator of design, Chelsey authored a blog about all her favorite finds and logged in countless hours on the website Pinterest.

Chelsey will be missed forever by her parents, Lesley Horne McGuinn and Jim McGuinn; Dennis and Raila Horne; her siblings, MacKensey Horne, Spencer McGuinn and Fiona Stiles; brother-in-law, Andrew Stiles; and her grandparents, John and Muriel Kurtz, Donna McGuinn and Allan Newman, Jim and Marge McGuinn; and great-grandmother, Frances Maggioncalda.

Contributions in Chelsey's memory can be made to the Diabetic Youth Foundation, which runs Bearskin Meadow Camp, at 5167 Clayton Road #F, Concord, CA 94521. Chelsey's dream was to inspire more diabetic teen campers to achieve the exhilaration and accomplishment of climbing Mt. Whitney. Please designate "Chelsey Clarke Horne/ Mt. Whitney" in your contribution to the Diabetic Youth Foundation..

A private celebration of Chelsey's life will take place later this year.