September 30, 1970 — May 25, 2025

With Love and Light

It's with profound sadness and immense gratitude that we honor the memory of our beloved board member, Kelley Marie Worth, who peacefully transitioned on Sunday, May 25, 2025. As we navigate this loss, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible legacy Kelley leaves behind—a legacy that continues to illuminate the path forward for Surf the Earth.

A Heart Called to Service

Kelley wasn't just a board member; she was the embodiment of everything Surf the Earth stands for. As a seasoned mental health clinician with over two decades of experience, she had dedicated her professional life to healing, working across various settings—group practices, inpatient and outpatient programs—providing compassionate support to families and adolescents.

When Kelley and her husband Rob welcomed their daughter Aleia Jade into the world, she stepped back from her clinical practice to become a full-time mother. For 16 years, she and Rob built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with Aleia, whose artistic spirit flourished under her mother's loving guidance.

When Tragedy Became Purpose

In May 2022, their world changed forever when Aleia made the heartbreaking decision to seek relief on her terms by suicide. Instead of allowing grief to consume her, Kelley channeled her pain into purpose. She discovered the work of Suzanne Geisemann and found her way to Helping Parents Heal, where she would become a cornerstone of support for other bereaved parents in Western North Carolina.

Kelley understood that mental health stigma had played a role in her daughter's struggle, and she was determined to ensure that other families wouldn't have to face the same silence that so often surrounds mental health challenges.

Together with Rob, she established Jade's Wings—a comprehensive healing center in Canton, North Carolina, born from their profound loss. Following Aleia Jade's death by suicide in May 2022, Jade's Wings was created to offer transformative grief therapy and intuition development, providing clinical support, energy healing, EMDR therapy, and group support sessions. Located in the newly remodeled lower level of Mr. Robot Shop in downtown Canton, Jade's Wings serves as both a tribute to Aleia and a beacon of hope for other families navigating the complex journey of grief and healing.

Finding Surf the Earth

When Kelley joined our board, we knew we had found the perfect advocate for our mission. Here was someone who didn't just understand our work intellectually—she lived it, breathed it, and had experienced firsthand why our efforts matter so desperately.

Kelley brought more than professional expertise to Surf the Earth; she brought authenticity. She knew what it felt like to love someone struggling with mental health challenges. She understood the isolation that families experience when stigma prevents open conversation about depression, anxiety, PTSD, and thoughts of ending one's life. She had witnessed the devastating consequences of a society that still whispers about mental health instead of speaking openly and compassionately.

Her Mission with Surf the Earth

During her time on our board, Kelley consistently advocated for approaches that would make mental health resources more accessible. She pushed us to consider how our messaging might land with worried parents, struggling young people, and isolated families. Her clinical background informed her advocacy, but her personal experience gave it urgency.

As both a board member and one of my closest friends, we will miss her deeply—her wisdom, her compassion, and her unwavering commitment to making mental health support accessible to all families.

The Ripple Effect of Her Compassion

While serving on our board, Kelley continued her healing work across multiple arenas:

Helping Parents Heal Western North Carolina: She helped establish this group, creating a "tribe-like" feeling of connection and belonging
New Member Group Co-Facilitator: Partnered with Tammy Patrick to welcome newly bereaved families
Art for the Heart: Served as guest facilitator, helping others express grief through creativity
Shiome Healing Circle: Assisted in supporting sacred healing spaces
Art Classes for Healing: Started her own healing art classes, encouraging free-flowing creativity as a path to healing

Together with Rob, she established Jade's Wings—a tribute to Aleia Jade offering clinical support, energy healing, EMDR therapy, and group support sessions.

Her Vision Lives On

Kelley saw Surf the Earth as more than an organization—she saw it as a movement. She believed passionately in our mission to stop mental health stigma, understanding that stigma prevents people from seeking help, families from having honest conversations, and communities from rallying around those who are struggling.

Though Kelley has now been reunited with her beloved Aleia, her impact continues to ripple outward. In her memory, we recommit ourselves to the vision she held: a world where mental health is discussed as openly as physical health, where families have access to resources and support, and where communities rally around those who are struggling.

Her compassion and dedication continue to inspire our work and remind us that behind every effort is the potential to help real families.

Honoring Her Memory

As we prepare to celebrate Kelley's life, we invite our community to join us in honoring what she stood for. Her life was a testament to the possibility of transformation—the way grief can become healing, pain can become purpose, and personal tragedy can become community service.

Our hearts go out to Rob and all who loved Kelley during this difficult time.

How You Can Honor Kelley's and Aleia’s Memory:
Donations may be made to The Aleia Worth Scholarship through Give to the Music at www.givetothemusic.org or by calling (828) 252-1888.

For more information about Kelley's work: https://jadeswings.com/

Read Kelley's Full Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/kelley-worth-obituary?id=58523631

Her Legacy Continues

As Surf the Earth continues its mission to stop mental health stigma, we carry Kelley's spirit with us. We remember her dedication to centering families in our work, approaching each conversation with compassion, and never losing sight of the real people behind the statistics.

Your light hasn't been extinguished, dear friend. It has simply changed form, continuing to shine through every life we touch, every barrier we break down, and every family we serve. Thank you for believing in us, for believing in our cause, and for showing us what it looks like to turn the deepest pain into the most beautiful purpose.

You will be missed, Kelley Marie Worth. Your work here continues through all of us.

All our love and light - The Surf the Earth Team

Honoring Kelley Worth: A Light That Continues to Shine