Kelly L. Rossman-McKinney
October 21, 1954 – November 9, 2021
Kelly L. Rossman-McKinney, age 67, of Grand Ledge, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Kelly was born October 21, 1954.
*****************
Printed: MIRSnews.com, Nov. 9, 2021
PR Icon Rossman-McKinney Dies After Battle With Cancer
Kelly ROSSMAN-McKINNEY, Lansing's most effective public relations professional for more than two decades, died at 67 today after a roughly 18-month battle with cancer.
She was diagnosed initially with Stage 4 bladder cancer in June 2020. After a few months of chemotherapy, the tumors "melted" and she moved on to immunotherapy. In January 2021, however, she reported that a new lesion was found on her spine and radiation was started again.
Rossman-McKinney looked to be back on the mend this summer, but the cancer came back aggressively in recent weeks. She was moved to hospice earlier today.
"There will never be another Kelly Rossman-McKinney," said Attorney General Dana NESSEL. "I am heartbroken by the loss of one of my most trusted advisors and I am honored to count myself amongst those who had the good fortune to work alongside Kelly and to witness her artistry."
Most recently Nessel's communications director, Rossman-McKinney is best known in town for the public relations firm she formed after working in the Blanchard administration in the 1980s.
Whether it was the Rossman Group, Rossman Martin or, ultimately, Truscott Rossman, the firm she founded was ranked the most effective public relations firm in the state capital area every year MIRS ran the survey starting in 2004.
For her part, Rossman-McKinney was named the area's most effective public affairs professional through the MIRS survey six times -- 2017, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007 and 2004. The only time she was edged out was in 2013 by her former partner, John TRUSCOTT.
She ran for the state Senate in 2018, was defeated by now-Sen. Tom BARRETT (R-Charlotte) and then joined on with Nessel after the election.
"Honoring a woman who always knew what to say and when to say it is difficult," said Gov. Gretchen WHITMER. "A trailblazer and role model who meant so much to so many. Her unmatched political instincts and razor-sharp wit shaped Lansing for decades. Her name literally graces the skyline.
"It is hard to imagine this town without her, but Kelly's timeless advice will continue to shape the work we all do. One of my favorite Kelly aphorisms was 'Have a high bar and don't lower it for anyone.' She set a high bar for us all. We will strive to meet it every day. My love goes to Kelly's family who centered her world."
Rossman-McKinney started her career in Lansing as a legislative secretary in 1979. She went on to serve as an aide in both the Michigan House and Senate before being tapped by Governor James BLANCHARD to help run the newly created Michigan Youth Corps, which became a national model for programs across the country.
She was tasked with leading multiple initiatives in Blanchard's administration including the Office of Michigan Products, where she showcased Michigan-made goods to the world. Rossman-McKinney then struck out on her own.
Rossman-McKinney had been close friends with Blanchard's first wife, Paula. When Paula and the Governor split, Rossman-McKinney did, as well.
"What started as a solo operation from her kitchen table grew to one of the largest and most well-respected public relations firms in Michigan, Truscott Rossman," Nessel said. "Kelly was the gold standard for public relations; respected by her peers and admired by her colleagues."
John TRUSCOTT said that in her 45-year career, Rossman-McKinney "shattered the glass ceiling for women in Lansing by taking risks."
Rossman-McKinney and Truscott competed for business and were adversaries on issues at times before the two joined forces and founded Truscott Rossman in 2011. Truscott said: "It was the best decision of my career."
"With her passing, I've lost more than a business partner, I've lost a best friend, my work wife and one of the most heroic people I've ever met," Truscott said.
Rossman-McKinney is survived her husband, "Officer Dave" THOMPSON; children, Alex, Teddy, Connor and Coby; stepdaughter, Brittany THOMPSON; daughter-in-law Jessica ZIMBELMAN and former husband and great friend, Kevin McKINNEY.
***********************
Obituary
Send Flowers
Kelly Rossman-McKinney
Grand Ledge - Well, @#$%. After a valiant battle with cancer, the incomparable and indomitable Kelly Rossman-McKinney passed away on November 9.
A loving wife (thrice!), mother, and "G.K." (Grandma Kelly), legendary PR executive and a leader among leaders, Kelly cut a path through life that no person could ever replicate. She's been called a "trailblazer," but that doesn't begin to describe the impact she had on the people and community around her. To truly understand the magic of Kelly, you have to know where she came from and what she built.
Kelly was particularly proud of her Detroit roots, graduating from Finney High School and attending Wayne State University. After graduating from college, Kelly cut her teeth in Detroit TV on The Lou Gordon Program and other local shows.
She was then drawn to public service and eventually found her way to the State of Michigan, working in both the House of Representatives and Senate as well as the Department of Commerce. Then she struck out on her own as a single mom, earned her APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) and started a fledgling public relations firm—and sparked an entire industry—at her kitchen table. That "Rossman" firm went through several iterations and changes over the years, eventually merging into what became Truscott Rossman, the statewide strategic communications firm headquartered in Detroit.
In the early days, Kelly performed comedy on the side to earn extra money for her young family. She carried that irreverent sense of humor through her career. She worked day and night to build her business and in the process earned a reputation for a unique approach to public relations and a dedication to ethics and professionalism.
Kelly was one of the first women allowed into the Rotary Club of Lansing, becoming a self-proclaimed "ovarian rotarian." When she was finally allowed to make her case during her introduction, she happened to be pregnant. When she took the microphone, she slipped her shoes off and declared "barefoot and pregnant, just like you always wanted us." From that day, she became a favorite of the Rotary Club.
It's difficult to measure the impact Kelly had on people because it's basically immeasurable. She was always the first to support a cause or help someone in need. She did it selflessly and she did it every day. And there's not just one story that encapsulates her life and the impact she had on people—because everyone who knew her has multiple stories about her mentorship, friendship and support. Kelly shined in high-stress situations and was a buoyant life raft and a sturdy rock for her people in crisis, from her kids to her clients.
She was an Athena award recipient and recognized most of her career as the most effective public relations professional among her peers. Her awards are too numerous to mention, but needless to say, everyone who knew her respected her and most absolutely loved her.
But it was her family that was her pride and joy and she loved them fiercely. Her husband Dave Thompson ("Officer Dave," as she affectionately called him), came into her life and she knew she had met her match. Her kids were the center of her universe: Alex Rossman and his wife Jessica Zimbelman, the "mini-McKinneys," Connor, Teddy and Cobhan, and her stepdaughter Brittany Thompson. Her grandgirls ("GGs")—twins Arla and Zadie Rossman and Mia Thompson—would light up that smile on her face. She enjoyed time with her mom Melva (and her dad Charlie before his passing), her sister Tracy, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Beth, her niece Sarah, and her grand-nephews Cash and Carson, as they laughed with (and at) and occasionally talked over each other.
Kelly made a couple of meals really well, including her signature spaghetti carbonara, and loved a big, boisterous dinner with her blended "fam damily." She lived a life full of adventure and travel, from living in Milan as a young woman, to a service trip to India, to countless spring breaks and vacations with her family—especially trips to North Carolina and St. John Island. She spent many hours reading novels and true crime fiction on the beaches of the world and, of course, on Lake Michigan.
She loved art, and in honor of her lifelong devotion to hot tea, she had collected more than 70 teapots as loud, fun and colorful as she was. She enjoyed movies, even if only as a place to take a nap, 60 Minutes, Scrabble, and People Magazine. And she loved music, especially Detroit's own Motown, and concerts—most recently planning to take the whole family to see the Wu-Tang Clan with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra before the show was postponed due to the pandemic.
Kelly's life was cut short, but she didn't waste one moment. She left an indelible mark on Michigan and its people, singularly and globally. She will be remembered by those who knew her as one of the most special people ever put on this earth.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Capital Region Community Foundation to help establish the Kelly Rossman-McKinney Memorial Fund at https://ourcommunity.org/funds/kelly-rossman-mckinney-memorial-fund. A visitation for Kelly will be held Thursday, December 2, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 p.m. at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917. Fond memories and messages may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.
Posted online on November 19, 2021
October 21, 1954 – November 9, 2021
Kelly L. Rossman-McKinney, age 67, of Grand Ledge, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Kelly was born October 21, 1954.
*****************
Printed: MIRSnews.com, Nov. 9, 2021
PR Icon Rossman-McKinney Dies After Battle With Cancer
Kelly ROSSMAN-McKINNEY, Lansing's most effective public relations professional for more than two decades, died at 67 today after a roughly 18-month battle with cancer.
She was diagnosed initially with Stage 4 bladder cancer in June 2020. After a few months of chemotherapy, the tumors "melted" and she moved on to immunotherapy. In January 2021, however, she reported that a new lesion was found on her spine and radiation was started again.
Rossman-McKinney looked to be back on the mend this summer, but the cancer came back aggressively in recent weeks. She was moved to hospice earlier today.
"There will never be another Kelly Rossman-McKinney," said Attorney General Dana NESSEL. "I am heartbroken by the loss of one of my most trusted advisors and I am honored to count myself amongst those who had the good fortune to work alongside Kelly and to witness her artistry."
Most recently Nessel's communications director, Rossman-McKinney is best known in town for the public relations firm she formed after working in the Blanchard administration in the 1980s.
Whether it was the Rossman Group, Rossman Martin or, ultimately, Truscott Rossman, the firm she founded was ranked the most effective public relations firm in the state capital area every year MIRS ran the survey starting in 2004.
For her part, Rossman-McKinney was named the area's most effective public affairs professional through the MIRS survey six times -- 2017, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007 and 2004. The only time she was edged out was in 2013 by her former partner, John TRUSCOTT.
She ran for the state Senate in 2018, was defeated by now-Sen. Tom BARRETT (R-Charlotte) and then joined on with Nessel after the election.
"Honoring a woman who always knew what to say and when to say it is difficult," said Gov. Gretchen WHITMER. "A trailblazer and role model who meant so much to so many. Her unmatched political instincts and razor-sharp wit shaped Lansing for decades. Her name literally graces the skyline.
"It is hard to imagine this town without her, but Kelly's timeless advice will continue to shape the work we all do. One of my favorite Kelly aphorisms was 'Have a high bar and don't lower it for anyone.' She set a high bar for us all. We will strive to meet it every day. My love goes to Kelly's family who centered her world."
Rossman-McKinney started her career in Lansing as a legislative secretary in 1979. She went on to serve as an aide in both the Michigan House and Senate before being tapped by Governor James BLANCHARD to help run the newly created Michigan Youth Corps, which became a national model for programs across the country.
She was tasked with leading multiple initiatives in Blanchard's administration including the Office of Michigan Products, where she showcased Michigan-made goods to the world. Rossman-McKinney then struck out on her own.
Rossman-McKinney had been close friends with Blanchard's first wife, Paula. When Paula and the Governor split, Rossman-McKinney did, as well.
"What started as a solo operation from her kitchen table grew to one of the largest and most well-respected public relations firms in Michigan, Truscott Rossman," Nessel said. "Kelly was the gold standard for public relations; respected by her peers and admired by her colleagues."
John TRUSCOTT said that in her 45-year career, Rossman-McKinney "shattered the glass ceiling for women in Lansing by taking risks."
Rossman-McKinney and Truscott competed for business and were adversaries on issues at times before the two joined forces and founded Truscott Rossman in 2011. Truscott said: "It was the best decision of my career."
"With her passing, I've lost more than a business partner, I've lost a best friend, my work wife and one of the most heroic people I've ever met," Truscott said.
Rossman-McKinney is survived her husband, "Officer Dave" THOMPSON; children, Alex, Teddy, Connor and Coby; stepdaughter, Brittany THOMPSON; daughter-in-law Jessica ZIMBELMAN and former husband and great friend, Kevin McKINNEY.
***********************
Obituary
Send Flowers
Kelly Rossman-McKinney
Grand Ledge - Well, @#$%. After a valiant battle with cancer, the incomparable and indomitable Kelly Rossman-McKinney passed away on November 9.
A loving wife (thrice!), mother, and "G.K." (Grandma Kelly), legendary PR executive and a leader among leaders, Kelly cut a path through life that no person could ever replicate. She's been called a "trailblazer," but that doesn't begin to describe the impact she had on the people and community around her. To truly understand the magic of Kelly, you have to know where she came from and what she built.
Kelly was particularly proud of her Detroit roots, graduating from Finney High School and attending Wayne State University. After graduating from college, Kelly cut her teeth in Detroit TV on The Lou Gordon Program and other local shows.
She was then drawn to public service and eventually found her way to the State of Michigan, working in both the House of Representatives and Senate as well as the Department of Commerce. Then she struck out on her own as a single mom, earned her APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) and started a fledgling public relations firm—and sparked an entire industry—at her kitchen table. That "Rossman" firm went through several iterations and changes over the years, eventually merging into what became Truscott Rossman, the statewide strategic communications firm headquartered in Detroit.
In the early days, Kelly performed comedy on the side to earn extra money for her young family. She carried that irreverent sense of humor through her career. She worked day and night to build her business and in the process earned a reputation for a unique approach to public relations and a dedication to ethics and professionalism.
Kelly was one of the first women allowed into the Rotary Club of Lansing, becoming a self-proclaimed "ovarian rotarian." When she was finally allowed to make her case during her introduction, she happened to be pregnant. When she took the microphone, she slipped her shoes off and declared "barefoot and pregnant, just like you always wanted us." From that day, she became a favorite of the Rotary Club.
It's difficult to measure the impact Kelly had on people because it's basically immeasurable. She was always the first to support a cause or help someone in need. She did it selflessly and she did it every day. And there's not just one story that encapsulates her life and the impact she had on people—because everyone who knew her has multiple stories about her mentorship, friendship and support. Kelly shined in high-stress situations and was a buoyant life raft and a sturdy rock for her people in crisis, from her kids to her clients.
She was an Athena award recipient and recognized most of her career as the most effective public relations professional among her peers. Her awards are too numerous to mention, but needless to say, everyone who knew her respected her and most absolutely loved her.
But it was her family that was her pride and joy and she loved them fiercely. Her husband Dave Thompson ("Officer Dave," as she affectionately called him), came into her life and she knew she had met her match. Her kids were the center of her universe: Alex Rossman and his wife Jessica Zimbelman, the "mini-McKinneys," Connor, Teddy and Cobhan, and her stepdaughter Brittany Thompson. Her grandgirls ("GGs")—twins Arla and Zadie Rossman and Mia Thompson—would light up that smile on her face. She enjoyed time with her mom Melva (and her dad Charlie before his passing), her sister Tracy, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Beth, her niece Sarah, and her grand-nephews Cash and Carson, as they laughed with (and at) and occasionally talked over each other.
Kelly made a couple of meals really well, including her signature spaghetti carbonara, and loved a big, boisterous dinner with her blended "fam damily." She lived a life full of adventure and travel, from living in Milan as a young woman, to a service trip to India, to countless spring breaks and vacations with her family—especially trips to North Carolina and St. John Island. She spent many hours reading novels and true crime fiction on the beaches of the world and, of course, on Lake Michigan.
She loved art, and in honor of her lifelong devotion to hot tea, she had collected more than 70 teapots as loud, fun and colorful as she was. She enjoyed movies, even if only as a place to take a nap, 60 Minutes, Scrabble, and People Magazine. And she loved music, especially Detroit's own Motown, and concerts—most recently planning to take the whole family to see the Wu-Tang Clan with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra before the show was postponed due to the pandemic.
Kelly's life was cut short, but she didn't waste one moment. She left an indelible mark on Michigan and its people, singularly and globally. She will be remembered by those who knew her as one of the most special people ever put on this earth.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Capital Region Community Foundation to help establish the Kelly Rossman-McKinney Memorial Fund at https://ourcommunity.org/funds/kelly-rossman-mckinney-memorial-fund. A visitation for Kelly will be held Thursday, December 2, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 p.m. at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917. Fond memories and messages may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.
Posted online on November 19, 2021
Kelly L. Rossman-McKinney
October 21, 1954 – November 9, 2021
Kelly L. Rossman-McKinney, age 67, of Grand Ledge, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Kelly was born October 21, 1954.
*****************
Printed: MIRSnews.com, Nov. 9, 2021
PR Icon Rossman-McKinney Dies After Battle With Cancer
Kelly ROSSMAN-McKINNEY, Lansing's most effective public relations professional for more than two decades, died at 67 today after a roughly 18-month battle with cancer.
She was diagnosed initially with Stage 4 bladder cancer in June 2020. After a few months of chemotherapy, the tumors "melted" and she moved on to immunotherapy. In January 2021, however, she reported that a new lesion was found on her spine and radiation was started again.
Rossman-McKinney looked to be back on the mend this summer, but the cancer came back aggressively in recent weeks. She was moved to hospice earlier today.
"There will never be another Kelly Rossman-McKinney," said Attorney General Dana NESSEL. "I am heartbroken by the loss of one of my most trusted advisors and I am honored to count myself amongst those who had the good fortune to work alongside Kelly and to witness her artistry."
Most recently Nessel's communications director, Rossman-McKinney is best known in town for the public relations firm she formed after working in the Blanchard administration in the 1980s.
Whether it was the Rossman Group, Rossman Martin or, ultimately, Truscott Rossman, the firm she founded was ranked the most effective public relations firm in the state capital area every year MIRS ran the survey starting in 2004.
For her part, Rossman-McKinney was named the area's most effective public affairs professional through the MIRS survey six times -- 2017, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007 and 2004. The only time she was edged out was in 2013 by her former partner, John TRUSCOTT.
She ran for the state Senate in 2018, was defeated by now-Sen. Tom BARRETT (R-Charlotte) and then joined on with Nessel after the election.
"Honoring a woman who always knew what to say and when to say it is difficult," said Gov. Gretchen WHITMER. "A trailblazer and role model who meant so much to so many. Her unmatched political instincts and razor-sharp wit shaped Lansing for decades. Her name literally graces the skyline.
"It is hard to imagine this town without her, but Kelly's timeless advice will continue to shape the work we all do. One of my favorite Kelly aphorisms was 'Have a high bar and don't lower it for anyone.' She set a high bar for us all. We will strive to meet it every day. My love goes to Kelly's family who centered her world."
Rossman-McKinney started her career in Lansing as a legislative secretary in 1979. She went on to serve as an aide in both the Michigan House and Senate before being tapped by Governor James BLANCHARD to help run the newly created Michigan Youth Corps, which became a national model for programs across the country.
She was tasked with leading multiple initiatives in Blanchard's administration including the Office of Michigan Products, where she showcased Michigan-made goods to the world. Rossman-McKinney then struck out on her own.
Rossman-McKinney had been close friends with Blanchard's first wife, Paula. When Paula and the Governor split, Rossman-McKinney did, as well.
"What started as a solo operation from her kitchen table grew to one of the largest and most well-respected public relations firms in Michigan, Truscott Rossman," Nessel said. "Kelly was the gold standard for public relations; respected by her peers and admired by her colleagues."
John TRUSCOTT said that in her 45-year career, Rossman-McKinney "shattered the glass ceiling for women in Lansing by taking risks."
Rossman-McKinney and Truscott competed for business and were adversaries on issues at times before the two joined forces and founded Truscott Rossman in 2011. Truscott said: "It was the best decision of my career."
"With her passing, I've lost more than a business partner, I've lost a best friend, my work wife and one of the most heroic people I've ever met," Truscott said.
Rossman-McKinney is survived her husband, "Officer Dave" THOMPSON; children, Alex, Teddy, Connor and Coby; stepdaughter, Brittany THOMPSON; daughter-in-law Jessica ZIMBELMAN and former husband and great friend, Kevin McKINNEY.
***********************
Obituary
Send Flowers
Kelly Rossman-McKinney
Grand Ledge - Well, @#$%. After a valiant battle with cancer, the incomparable and indomitable Kelly Rossman-McKinney passed away on November 9.
A loving wife (thrice!), mother, and "G.K." (Grandma Kelly), legendary PR executive and a leader among leaders, Kelly cut a path through life that no person could ever replicate. She's been called a "trailblazer," but that doesn't begin to describe the impact she had on the people and community around her. To truly understand the magic of Kelly, you have to know where she came from and what she built.
Kelly was particularly proud of her Detroit roots, graduating from Finney High School and attending Wayne State University. After graduating from college, Kelly cut her teeth in Detroit TV on The Lou Gordon Program and other local shows.
She was then drawn to public service and eventually found her way to the State of Michigan, working in both the House of Representatives and Senate as well as the Department of Commerce. Then she struck out on her own as a single mom, earned her APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) and started a fledgling public relations firm—and sparked an entire industry—at her kitchen table. That "Rossman" firm went through several iterations and changes over the years, eventually merging into what became Truscott Rossman, the statewide strategic communications firm headquartered in Detroit.
In the early days, Kelly performed comedy on the side to earn extra money for her young family. She carried that irreverent sense of humor through her career. She worked day and night to build her business and in the process earned a reputation for a unique approach to public relations and a dedication to ethics and professionalism.
Kelly was one of the first women allowed into the Rotary Club of Lansing, becoming a self-proclaimed "ovarian rotarian." When she was finally allowed to make her case during her introduction, she happened to be pregnant. When she took the microphone, she slipped her shoes off and declared "barefoot and pregnant, just like you always wanted us." From that day, she became a favorite of the Rotary Club.
It's difficult to measure the impact Kelly had on people because it's basically immeasurable. She was always the first to support a cause or help someone in need. She did it selflessly and she did it every day. And there's not just one story that encapsulates her life and the impact she had on people—because everyone who knew her has multiple stories about her mentorship, friendship and support. Kelly shined in high-stress situations and was a buoyant life raft and a sturdy rock for her people in crisis, from her kids to her clients.
She was an Athena award recipient and recognized most of her career as the most effective public relations professional among her peers. Her awards are too numerous to mention, but needless to say, everyone who knew her respected her and most absolutely loved her.
But it was her family that was her pride and joy and she loved them fiercely. Her husband Dave Thompson ("Officer Dave," as she affectionately called him), came into her life and she knew she had met her match. Her kids were the center of her universe: Alex Rossman and his wife Jessica Zimbelman, the "mini-McKinneys," Connor, Teddy and Cobhan, and her stepdaughter Brittany Thompson. Her grandgirls ("GGs")—twins Arla and Zadie Rossman and Mia Thompson—would light up that smile on her face. She enjoyed time with her mom Melva (and her dad Charlie before his passing), her sister Tracy, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Beth, her niece Sarah, and her grand-nephews Cash and Carson, as they laughed with (and at) and occasionally talked over each other.
Kelly made a couple of meals really well, including her signature spaghetti carbonara, and loved a big, boisterous dinner with her blended "fam damily." She lived a life full of adventure and travel, from living in Milan as a young woman, to a service trip to India, to countless spring breaks and vacations with her family—especially trips to North Carolina and St. John Island. She spent many hours reading novels and true crime fiction on the beaches of the world and, of course, on Lake Michigan.
She loved art, and in honor of her lifelong devotion to hot tea, she had collected more than 70 teapots as loud, fun and colorful as she was. She enjoyed movies, even if only as a place to take a nap, 60 Minutes, Scrabble, and People Magazine. And she loved music, especially Detroit's own Motown, and concerts—most recently planning to take the whole family to see the Wu-Tang Clan with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra before the show was postponed due to the pandemic.
Kelly's life was cut short, but she didn't waste one moment. She left an indelible mark on Michigan and its people, singularly and globally. She will be remembered by those who knew her as one of the most special people ever put on this earth.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Capital Region Community Foundation to help establish the Kelly Rossman-McKinney Memorial Fund at https://ourcommunity.org/funds/kelly-rossman-mckinney-memorial-fund. A visitation for Kelly will be held Thursday, December 2, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 p.m. at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917. Fond memories and messages may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.
Posted online on November 19, 2021
October 21, 1954 – November 9, 2021
Kelly L. Rossman-McKinney, age 67, of Grand Ledge, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Kelly was born October 21, 1954.
*****************
Printed: MIRSnews.com, Nov. 9, 2021
PR Icon Rossman-McKinney Dies After Battle With Cancer
Kelly ROSSMAN-McKINNEY, Lansing's most effective public relations professional for more than two decades, died at 67 today after a roughly 18-month battle with cancer.
She was diagnosed initially with Stage 4 bladder cancer in June 2020. After a few months of chemotherapy, the tumors "melted" and she moved on to immunotherapy. In January 2021, however, she reported that a new lesion was found on her spine and radiation was started again.
Rossman-McKinney looked to be back on the mend this summer, but the cancer came back aggressively in recent weeks. She was moved to hospice earlier today.
"There will never be another Kelly Rossman-McKinney," said Attorney General Dana NESSEL. "I am heartbroken by the loss of one of my most trusted advisors and I am honored to count myself amongst those who had the good fortune to work alongside Kelly and to witness her artistry."
Most recently Nessel's communications director, Rossman-McKinney is best known in town for the public relations firm she formed after working in the Blanchard administration in the 1980s.
Whether it was the Rossman Group, Rossman Martin or, ultimately, Truscott Rossman, the firm she founded was ranked the most effective public relations firm in the state capital area every year MIRS ran the survey starting in 2004.
For her part, Rossman-McKinney was named the area's most effective public affairs professional through the MIRS survey six times -- 2017, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007 and 2004. The only time she was edged out was in 2013 by her former partner, John TRUSCOTT.
She ran for the state Senate in 2018, was defeated by now-Sen. Tom BARRETT (R-Charlotte) and then joined on with Nessel after the election.
"Honoring a woman who always knew what to say and when to say it is difficult," said Gov. Gretchen WHITMER. "A trailblazer and role model who meant so much to so many. Her unmatched political instincts and razor-sharp wit shaped Lansing for decades. Her name literally graces the skyline.
"It is hard to imagine this town without her, but Kelly's timeless advice will continue to shape the work we all do. One of my favorite Kelly aphorisms was 'Have a high bar and don't lower it for anyone.' She set a high bar for us all. We will strive to meet it every day. My love goes to Kelly's family who centered her world."
Rossman-McKinney started her career in Lansing as a legislative secretary in 1979. She went on to serve as an aide in both the Michigan House and Senate before being tapped by Governor James BLANCHARD to help run the newly created Michigan Youth Corps, which became a national model for programs across the country.
She was tasked with leading multiple initiatives in Blanchard's administration including the Office of Michigan Products, where she showcased Michigan-made goods to the world. Rossman-McKinney then struck out on her own.
Rossman-McKinney had been close friends with Blanchard's first wife, Paula. When Paula and the Governor split, Rossman-McKinney did, as well.
"What started as a solo operation from her kitchen table grew to one of the largest and most well-respected public relations firms in Michigan, Truscott Rossman," Nessel said. "Kelly was the gold standard for public relations; respected by her peers and admired by her colleagues."
John TRUSCOTT said that in her 45-year career, Rossman-McKinney "shattered the glass ceiling for women in Lansing by taking risks."
Rossman-McKinney and Truscott competed for business and were adversaries on issues at times before the two joined forces and founded Truscott Rossman in 2011. Truscott said: "It was the best decision of my career."
"With her passing, I've lost more than a business partner, I've lost a best friend, my work wife and one of the most heroic people I've ever met," Truscott said.
Rossman-McKinney is survived her husband, "Officer Dave" THOMPSON; children, Alex, Teddy, Connor and Coby; stepdaughter, Brittany THOMPSON; daughter-in-law Jessica ZIMBELMAN and former husband and great friend, Kevin McKINNEY.
***********************
Obituary
Send Flowers
Kelly Rossman-McKinney
Grand Ledge - Well, @#$%. After a valiant battle with cancer, the incomparable and indomitable Kelly Rossman-McKinney passed away on November 9.
A loving wife (thrice!), mother, and "G.K." (Grandma Kelly), legendary PR executive and a leader among leaders, Kelly cut a path through life that no person could ever replicate. She's been called a "trailblazer," but that doesn't begin to describe the impact she had on the people and community around her. To truly understand the magic of Kelly, you have to know where she came from and what she built.
Kelly was particularly proud of her Detroit roots, graduating from Finney High School and attending Wayne State University. After graduating from college, Kelly cut her teeth in Detroit TV on The Lou Gordon Program and other local shows.
She was then drawn to public service and eventually found her way to the State of Michigan, working in both the House of Representatives and Senate as well as the Department of Commerce. Then she struck out on her own as a single mom, earned her APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) and started a fledgling public relations firm—and sparked an entire industry—at her kitchen table. That "Rossman" firm went through several iterations and changes over the years, eventually merging into what became Truscott Rossman, the statewide strategic communications firm headquartered in Detroit.
In the early days, Kelly performed comedy on the side to earn extra money for her young family. She carried that irreverent sense of humor through her career. She worked day and night to build her business and in the process earned a reputation for a unique approach to public relations and a dedication to ethics and professionalism.
Kelly was one of the first women allowed into the Rotary Club of Lansing, becoming a self-proclaimed "ovarian rotarian." When she was finally allowed to make her case during her introduction, she happened to be pregnant. When she took the microphone, she slipped her shoes off and declared "barefoot and pregnant, just like you always wanted us." From that day, she became a favorite of the Rotary Club.
It's difficult to measure the impact Kelly had on people because it's basically immeasurable. She was always the first to support a cause or help someone in need. She did it selflessly and she did it every day. And there's not just one story that encapsulates her life and the impact she had on people—because everyone who knew her has multiple stories about her mentorship, friendship and support. Kelly shined in high-stress situations and was a buoyant life raft and a sturdy rock for her people in crisis, from her kids to her clients.
She was an Athena award recipient and recognized most of her career as the most effective public relations professional among her peers. Her awards are too numerous to mention, but needless to say, everyone who knew her respected her and most absolutely loved her.
But it was her family that was her pride and joy and she loved them fiercely. Her husband Dave Thompson ("Officer Dave," as she affectionately called him), came into her life and she knew she had met her match. Her kids were the center of her universe: Alex Rossman and his wife Jessica Zimbelman, the "mini-McKinneys," Connor, Teddy and Cobhan, and her stepdaughter Brittany Thompson. Her grandgirls ("GGs")—twins Arla and Zadie Rossman and Mia Thompson—would light up that smile on her face. She enjoyed time with her mom Melva (and her dad Charlie before his passing), her sister Tracy, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Beth, her niece Sarah, and her grand-nephews Cash and Carson, as they laughed with (and at) and occasionally talked over each other.
Kelly made a couple of meals really well, including her signature spaghetti carbonara, and loved a big, boisterous dinner with her blended "fam damily." She lived a life full of adventure and travel, from living in Milan as a young woman, to a service trip to India, to countless spring breaks and vacations with her family—especially trips to North Carolina and St. John Island. She spent many hours reading novels and true crime fiction on the beaches of the world and, of course, on Lake Michigan.
She loved art, and in honor of her lifelong devotion to hot tea, she had collected more than 70 teapots as loud, fun and colorful as she was. She enjoyed movies, even if only as a place to take a nap, 60 Minutes, Scrabble, and People Magazine. And she loved music, especially Detroit's own Motown, and concerts—most recently planning to take the whole family to see the Wu-Tang Clan with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra before the show was postponed due to the pandemic.
Kelly's life was cut short, but she didn't waste one moment. She left an indelible mark on Michigan and its people, singularly and globally. She will be remembered by those who knew her as one of the most special people ever put on this earth.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Capital Region Community Foundation to help establish the Kelly Rossman-McKinney Memorial Fund at https://ourcommunity.org/funds/kelly-rossman-mckinney-memorial-fund. A visitation for Kelly will be held Thursday, December 2, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 p.m. at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917. Fond memories and messages may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.
Posted online on November 19, 2021
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