SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — The Sun Prairie community is mourning the profound and heartbreaking loss of Caitlyn “Caitie” Keeley, a loving mother, devoted wife, and compassionate NICU nurse, who passed away on October 18, just 30 days after being diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She was 33 years old.

Caitie lived in Sun Prairie with her husband, Jesse Keeley, and their 1-year-old daughter, Cadence, who family members say was the greatest joy of her life. Becoming a mother had always been Caitie’s deepest wish, and she embraced that role with unconditional love.

“Her number one goal in life was to be a mom,” said her older sister, Kelly Rhode. “That was her greatest dream.”

Friends often described Caitie as the “mother hen” of their group — the one who organized plans, checked in on everyone, and instinctively cared for others. That nurturing spirit extended naturally into her professional life.

A Sudden and Shocking Diagnosis

According to her family, Caitie experienced no warning signs or symptoms prior to her diagnosis. When doctors discovered the cancer, it had already spread to her liver, spine, and sternum.

“It was so advanced when she found out,” Rhode said. “There were no signs. It just came out of nowhere.”

Caitie was admitted to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, where she spent 10 days in the ICU on a ventilator while battling serious infections. She was able to receive one round of chemotherapy, which initially showed promise, but complications prevented her from continuing treatment.

“She was a fighter,” her sister said. “But she never truly got the chance to fight.”

A Life Dedicated to Caring for Others

Caitie spent nearly a decade serving others as a NICU nurse at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison. She began her career as a health unit coordinator before advancing to nursing, where she became known for her compassion, professionalism, and ability to comfort families during their most vulnerable moments.

In a statement, SSM Health remembered Caitie as a cherished member of its care team:

“Caitie brought hope and comfort to families during times of uncertainty. She will be remembered for her passion for life, her exceptional patient care, and the compassion she showed to everyone around her.”

Turning Loss Into Purpose

In Caitie’s memory, her family has launched efforts to advocate for earlier breast cancer screening through proposed legislation known as “Caitie’s Law,” which would require insurance coverage for mammograms beginning at age 30 in Wisconsin.

“Cancer doesn’t care about age,” Rhode said. “I never want another family to go through what we’ve gone through.”

Medical experts note that while Caitie’s case is rare, breast cancer in younger women is often more aggressive and diagnosed at later stages, making awareness and early detection critical.

Supporting Her Family

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support Jesse and Cadence as they navigate life after Caitie’s passing and honor her legacy of love and service. Those wishing to contribute can do so at the following link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-jesse-and-cadence-after-caities-loss

Remembering Caitie

Those who knew Caitie remember her as gentle, selfless, and endlessly caring — someone who lived her life in service to others. This past summer, the community came together for a benefit in her honor, a moment her family says reflected the love and support she inspired throughout her life.

“She lived her life helping others,” Rhode said. “Even now, she’s still doing that.”

Caitlyn “Caitie” Keeley leaves behind a loving husband, a young daughter, a devoted family, and countless lives touched by her kindness. Though her time was far too short, her legacy will continue — in the patients she cared for, the family she loved, and the lives she will help save through awareness and advocacy.