Remembering Kelly Mason from My 600 lb Life: her Life Journey

Kelly Mason’s life was a true story of courage. She faced many tough times, including feeling very alone after her grandparents passed away. They were the only ones who had shown her real love. Kelly also had to deal with terrible things like being hurt by others and not having the support of her mother when she needed it most. Her story is shared on the show “My 600-lb Life,” where we see how strong she was, even when things were really hard. Kelly’s life reminds us all that no matter what we go through, we can keep going. Her story ended in 2019, but it still gives hope to people today.

Early Life and Family Struggles

Kelly Mason’s early years were marked by complexity and heartache. Born in New Jersey on February 16, 1977, her entry into the world was shadowed by the unconventional relationship of her parents. Her father, already married with children, and her mother, who had little inclination towards motherhood, left Kelly in the care of her grandparents.

The loss of her grandfather, who passed away before her eyes, and her grandmother’s subsequent move to a retirement home, brought her estranged mother back into her life. Despite these tumultuous family dynamics, Kelly eventually connected with her father and her half-siblings later in life.

Personal Trauma

Kelly’s childhood was marred by horrific abuse at the hands of an older neighbor, who groomed her and raped her for years. Kelly knew her father, but their relationship was limited. He provided financial support, but they didn’t share a close bond where she could talk to him about personal matters like the abuse she faced. When Kelly said she was molested, and raped, her mother told her to keep quiet. This trauma deeply affected her, and it was only compounded by the lack of support when she sought help. In a twist of fate, her abuser’s life ended abruptly when he was killed in a car accident later.

Journey on “My 600-lb Life”

From a young age, Kelly struggled with her weight, reaching 200 pounds before her teenage years. By age 15, she tipped the scales at 300 pounds, eventually escalating to around 500 pounds by college. The emotional blow of losing a baby during her first year of college plunged her into depression, leading her to seek solace in food.

Kelly’s participation in Season 7, Episode 13 of “My 600-lb Life” brought her struggles to the public eye. Kelly was on the verge of immobility when she decided to make the trip to Houston to visit Dr. Now. However, her trip got off to a rough start when she got stuck in a cab on the way from the clinic to the hospital.

When Kelly first appeared on the show, she weighed over 700 pounds and was dealing with many health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, thyroid problems, a blood clot, a pulmonary embolism, and heart complications. Despite these difficulties, Kelly was determined to turn her life around and finish college.

Under Dr. Now’s care, Kelly entered rehab to strengthen her heart and increase physical activity. Her efforts paid off as she lost 220 pounds, qualifying her for weight loss surgery. After the surgery, Kelly’s journey continued with another rehab stint, this time to support her recovery and address her cardiac health challenges. She continued to pursue her weight-loss goals, ultimately shedding a total of 324 pounds.

How did her family support Kelly during her weight loss journey?

Kelly Mason was never married despite coming close to motherhood once. So, there was no husband to support her in her 40’s and her journey on “My 600-lb Life”. 

As seen in the episode “Kelly’s Story,” her friend who’s “like a sister” helps her in the taxi. Her father appears at the very beginning, expressing concern for her. He states that had he been aware of the abuse, he would have intervened. Her uncle also shows up before she goes into surgery. Her cousin, Gary, although hesitant initially welcomed Kelly into his home from rehab. This act of kindness provided her with a stable environment to continue her recovery and weight loss journey.

After her passing, Dr. Now expressed to Kelly’s father that she had fought hard and remained an inspiration to many. This conversation highlights the close involvement of her father during her challenging journey.

However, Kelly’s relationship with her mother was more complex. Kelly faced a traumatic experience in her childhood, and when she sought support from her mother, she was encouraged to let it go. This lack of support deeply affected Kelly and contributed to her turning to food for comfort.

Death

As Kelly left the hospital, she expressed hope for a new life, vowing to adhere to the prescribed diet and therapy. However, her heart’s condition remained fragile. Tragically, on February 15, 2019, Kelly Mason passed away in her sleep due to cardiac arrest in Houston, Texas. She was laid to rest in Heavenly Rest Memorial Park in East Hanover, New Jersey.

Dr. Now, known for his composed demeanor expressed sorrow over Kelly’s passing. He emphasized that her death wasn’t a result of backtracking; she had diligently followed the program. Unfortunately, the prior damage to her heart was too great to overcome.

Kelly’s story continues to inspire many, exemplifying the strength of will and the indomitable nature of the human spirit in the face of daunting obstacles. Her memory lives on as a symbol of bravery, optimism, and an unwavering quest for a better existence, no matter the challenges.

Wiki/Bio Facts of Kelly Mason

Fact	Detail
Full Name	Kelly Mason
Appearance on TV Show	Season 7 Episodes 13 My 600-lb Life
Weight at Appearance	Over 700 pounds
Weight Loss on Show	Lost 220 lbs on her own before surgery; further loss after surgery
Major Health Issues	High blood pressure, diabetes, blood clots, arthritis, congestive heart failure, among others
Children	None
Marital Status	Unmarried
Surgery	Underwent weight loss surgery
Death	Passed away on February 15, 2019,
Cause of Death	Cardiac Arrest
Parents	N/A
Siblings	N/A
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Mixed
Zodiac Sign	Aquarius
Birthdate	February 16, 1977
Birthplace	New Jersey, United States
Death place	Huston, Texas, United States
Gender	Female
Religion	Christianity
Sexuality	Straight
Hair Color	Dark
Eye Color	Brown
Height	Information not publicly disclosed
Net Worth	Information not publicly disclosed