[ArrichMer]

Kelly Jo Dowd, a cancer-stricken mother whose dream of seeing her teen daughter Dakoda play in an LPGA event was realized last spring, has died. She was 42.


She spent years battling breast cancer, which her family said spread to her bones and liver, and then to her brain in the final months of her life. She died Thursday night at her home in Palm Harbor, Fla., with her daughter and other relatives at her side.




AP Photo/Steve Nesius


Kelly Jo Dowd's dream was to see Dakoda play in an LPGA event.




"Kelly Jo didn't know how to quit," her husband, Mike Dowd, said Friday. "It was inspiring. The nurses said her heart was at 160 beats a minute for the last day and a half. She was fighting. That was Kelly Jo."


Her death came just over a year after seeing her daughter play in the Ginn Open in Reunion, Fla., when Dakoda, then 13, and her family went public with their story, even knowing Kelly Jo's death was expected. Shortly before the tournament, the family was told Kelly Jo would have only a few months to live.


"She'll die knowing that she was loved," Dakoda said in an interview last year with The Associated Press.


Earlier this month, Dakoda, now 14, failed to advance in qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open, clearly distracted by her mother's rapidly failing health.
"It's been so hard," Dakoda said last month, "and my mom fought even harder."


Dakoda Dowd, one of the nation's top-ranked junior golfers, was invited to play in the 2006 tournament by Ginn Resorts president and CEO Bobby Ginn, who lauded the Dowds Friday as "a special family whose story touched a nation."


"Kelly Jo Dowd inspired us all with her strength, courage and tireless efforts to educate both women and men about breast cancer, the disease that would eventually take her life," Ginn said. "Her zest for life and boundless enthusiasm in spite of her condition lifted countless spirits and should serve as a reminder to focus on what is truly important in life."


Dowd shot a 2-over par 74 on the first day, beating a number of major-championship winners, then shot 82 in the second round and missed the cut.


"I'm prouder today than I was yesterday that my daughter has the courage and strength to play with these LPGA professionals," Kelly Jo said after that tournament. "And I feel great right now. I feel great. My dream came true out here."


The Dowd family chose to tell their story with hopes that Kelly Jo's plight -- she ignored a lump for several months before being diagnosed with breast cancer -- would be a strong reminder that women should be vigilant in doing self-exams and getting checked regularly.


"I did something pretty stupid," Kelly Jo said in a 2006 interview with the AP. "And the only way that I can let myself feel better about it is if I know that people can learn from our situation."


Plus, the family spent much time trying to raise money for groups like MakingMemories.org, which grants wishes to people who have been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. Mike Dowd said Friday that the family's fundraising quests will continue.


"We're not going to run away from this," he said. "We're going to glorify her and do her proud."


A memorial service will be held Tuesday at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home in Clearwater, Fla.

[cristmiff]

yeah, i remember the story when that tourney was going on. sad shit. shows how bittersweet life can be. mom and daughter got their dream to watch the little one play in a pro event, but then passes away. best of luck to the little one. hopefully she beat michelle wie on the last hole of a womens major.

[newshep]

yeah, i remember the story when that tourney was going on. sad shit. shows how bittersweet life can be. mom and daughter got their dream to watch the little one play in a pro event, but then passes away. best of luck to the little one. hopefully she beat michelle wie on the last hole of a womens major.

Yeah, its very sad to think about. She was a brave woman, and 42 is way too young for anyone to die.

I feel bad for her daughter, but it sounds like she's been prepared for this day for awhile......unfortunately.

[DeedPatmeda]

Although we all knew that this was going to happen it doesn't lessen the sadness.

RIP Kelly Jo

[Nadin Maison]

Hopefully she makes Michelle Wie her bitch now.

RIP Kelly Jo


Whatever happened to the hype surrounding wie? Haven't heard anything in quite some time

[bumxumer]

RIP Kelly Jo