Ryan Newman's win gives Goshen woman a heart attack
Ryan Newman's win gives Goshen woman a heart attack Save Email Print
Goshen
Posted: 7:19 PM Feb 21, 2008
Last Updated: 7:19 PM Feb 21, 2008
Reporter: Alana Greenfogel
Email Address: Alana.Greenfogel@WNDU.com

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One look at Racecar Driver Ryan Newman and some would call him a heart breaker. But a Goshen woman really means it.

"He won and it was just more than I could handle I guess."

Demy Kelly calls herself Ryan Newman’s biggest fan. She can prove it with piles of t-shirts, flags, pictures, and a Ryan Newman dedicated MySpace page.

“Oh, I just love him,” she says.

Judging by Demy’s reaction to the South Bend native’s big win at the Daytona 500 Sunday night, you might have thought Demy, herself, was the winner.

"She got so excited. It was unreal. I couldn't calm her down," explains Demy’s husband, Ron Kelly.

As the excitement set in, so did a heart attack.

“The doctor said, ‘Mrs. Kelly, you have had a heart attack.’ And I’m thinking, ‘Oh this is serious.’”

Demy had what’s called Broken Heart Syndrome. It’s rare and not your typical heart attack. Her doctor says it usually happens to middle to older aged women and is caused by sudden adrenalin surges to the heart.

Doctors say there usually isn’t any long term heart damage.

Demy says she’s already feeling much better.

"You're heart feels so full of hormones and adrenaline and stuff; it literally goes into a spasm. They said if I hadn't have come to the hospital when I did I would have died," Demy explains.

And Demy’s heart wasn’t the only one broken.

"When she was gone, I missed her so bad. Three days at home by myself. I missed her so bad I couldn't stand it," Ron says as he chokes up and hugs his wife of more than 50 years.

But if you ask Demy, her heart was far from broken.

"No for him [Newman]. It's a happy heart, an ecstatic heart; just thrilled to death, almost!"

At least Demy didn’t lose her sense of humor.

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Posted by: M on Feb 29, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Demy, you should do one of those commercials next year. The one where they say at 1:30 pm Sunday John will suffer a heart attack, no wait, we're going to postphone the heart attack until Monday due to rain. Newman better get a disclaimer on his car. I see lawsuit written all over it if Ron's not a Nascar fan. And, if what Christy said is correct, shouldn't you have an intervention? Get her on the Nascar 12-step program. N's right.

Posted by: Dianne Location: Purvis Ms on Feb 28, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I do not feel this is the place for a dispute with N I am also a Newman fan and trust me his win was a long time comming and he deserved it. Mrs. Demy way to go girl. Good to hear you are well and ready to see Ryan win again. N obviously doesn't understand the true Nascar fan. We put our heart and soul into the sport.

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 25, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Demy...glad you're feeling better! Just want to make sure you know the Cup race (postponed yesterday due to rain) is on Fox today at 1:00. Go Newman!

Posted by: N on Feb 24, 2008 at 05:25 PM
A bunch of religious nutjobs? Wow, didnt see that coming. Just keep telling yourself I'm the Devil and that your God will help me. Its worked for so many people for so many years.

Posted by: Sharon Location: South Bend on Feb 24, 2008 at 11:55 AM
N and Anonymous you are sad pathetic people. I hope nothing like this ever happens to you or someone you love but then again with your attitudes you wont care. Demy I am so glad you are ok! Take care!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 23, 2008 at 09:12 PM
N is right on. Don't know why so many people are attacking him when he is right. This just goes to show that the news has nothing better to report then some old lady that has a heart attack over a sport???

Posted by: susie Location: goshen on Feb 23, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Demy's youngest daughter here. Please nobody waste another breath on N. The devil is always trying to spoil the good in life and this is a fine example of it. Celebrate Life we never know when we won't be here. Also people like him what goes round comes round and bites you in the you know where his day will come. Let's not make this about him. If you know mom you would love her too. She is one of a kind and whoever knows her loves her to death she is an awesome person! God Bless and stay positive for He is the Way the Truth and the Life. All good comes through Him. Those of us who know Him can get excited about the small things in life. We have inner peace. So instead just say AMEN and pray for N. he obviously needs some help. so have fun and keep on winning RYAN! mom has meds and will keep on watching! Diane and Christy love ya and don't let him get to you its the works of the devil trying to get you upset. WE KNOW THE TRUTH!!!!!!! ego amote to my family! susie

Posted by: Bonnie Location: South Bend on Feb 23, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Demy, so glad you are ok. I am his#1 South Bend fan!!Go Ryan Go!! It is great for us older gals to enjoy life this way. My grandma was 102yrs young and would take a nap so she could watch her wrestling on tv. I can still see her throwing punches! So Demy we have some time to go. God Bless Ryan your #1 keep up the good work, we love you!!

Posted by: demy Location: Goshen on Feb 23, 2008 at 06:21 AM
Hey "N" I have met and even had a big hug from Newman 2 years ago. He is a GENTLEMAN & A GREAT GUY whom I love very much. Maybe you are not capable to feel love. I will pray for you. My heart was fine & had no previous problems. Too all my supporters and Ryan's fans. THANK you so very much for understanding and caring. God Bless all of you.

Posted by: L Location: Mishatucky on Feb 23, 2008 at 12:09 AM
OK "N", you need to give it up already! I get what you are saying, and I do somewhat agree with you, but these people on here are into the "sweet" story of the "cute old lady", who apparently lives for Ryan Newman. Sometimes, in this messed up world, people just want a "gee, that is nice" story. Nobody died (luckily) and nobody was hurt, so just leave it alone. Go after the nutjob cops in this area, or the pointless war we are killing our young people in. There are some good debates to be had there. Peace...

Posted by: Christy Location: New Paris on Feb 22, 2008 at 10:39 PM
I am Demy Kelly's oldest grandaughter. To respond to your comments "N", yes that lady who said she was Demy's oldest daughter.... isnt lying!! My grandmother didnt have a bum ticker, as you stated. She is extremely healthy!! I advise that next time you comment on a story, you listen to the whole story first. My grandma has broken heart syndrome. When the body is stressed from traumatic news, excitement, and other things like that, it can cause a heart attack. She has very clean arteries...no plaque, and no bad cholesterol, so this is a very rare occasion. I thought it was nice to see channel 16 do a story like this. My grandmother is a very classy lady, who does not have a bad thing to say about anyone, no matter what!! "N" I bet you could learn alot from someone like her! She didnt know that she had this syndrome, just like many others dont know they have it! I am glad that my grandmother can show so much passion about something. I count my blessings everyday....and I count gma twice!

Posted by: Still Amazed Location: South Bend on Feb 22, 2008 at 10:00 PM
You are free to have any opinion you want N. No one is saying you can't, but if you don't realize that you should also be respectful of others than you need some more life experience. Put yourself in Diane's position for 2 seconds. Her mother almost died. It doesn't matter what the circumstances were. You should be happy she's doing ok and that should be the end of it. If she's a Ryan Newman groupie than so be it. Should this story have made headlines? Who knows? But it did and it has no impact on your life so there's no point in verbally attacking a woman, who is lucky to be alive, just because she's a big sports fan. I hope you can see that when a family undergoes a traumatic event like someone having a heart attack, that is not the time, regardless of your opinion, to sling mud at them. In this situation you should have just kept it to yourself. And you should apologize to Diane. Not because you had an opinion, but because you insulted her mother by airing it in public.

Posted by: N on Feb 22, 2008 at 09:07 PM
You know, if I WAS to have a heart attack when the Cubs win the World Series, I guarantee people would be like "wow, who gets that worked up and excited over baseball?" But here it is Newman wins Daytona, and just happens to be from this area, and a fan of his goes crazy and cant handle it and has a heart attack, and everyone is kissing her butt over it saying its sweet and whatnot. I'm a jerk because I dont think its sweet but just ridiculous. Look, this woman obviously had a bum ticker, Newman winning had nothing to do with it. If Newman would've lost the story title would read "Newmans loss gives Goshen woman a heart attack." It was going to happen no matter what, Newman being "involved" is just a coincidence.

Posted by: Diane Location: Goshen on Feb 22, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Listen N I know who the hell I am. I am the daughter of Demy and Ron Kelly. My mom was born in November my dad in January Married 51 Years and they were married in Indianapolis Indiana. They have 3 girls including me and 1 son. I AM HER DAUGHTER I will not respond to you any more you are a waste of my time Go Newman Go

Posted by: Deb on Feb 22, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Maybe N stands for Negative? I'm just glad this sweet lady is okay.

Posted by: sc Location: south bend on Feb 22, 2008 at 05:05 PM
N I am so glad that have control over your heart functions that you know in advance what it will do. Probably saying kind will cause it to go!

Posted by: Beverly Location: Goshen on Feb 22, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I think it's a sweet story! I am glad to hear she is doing well! Let's get ready for another win this weekend!

Posted by: N on Feb 22, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Why should I apologize? I gave MY OPINION on a news story. Who the hell tells people to apologize for voicing their opinion? And yeah, right, thats totally her daughter. Its not like anyone can get on the internet and claim to be someone they arent.....

Posted by: Glenn on Feb 22, 2008 at 04:06 PM
People, N is a Cubs fan. That's punishment enough for his hollow existence.

Posted by: amazed Location: South Bend on Feb 22, 2008 at 03:29 PM
That didn't sound like an apology N. Classy The woman's daughter is reading these messages and that's the kind of response you give. Are you 12?

Posted by: anonymous. on Feb 22, 2008 at 03:04 PM
To N. do you know that what you said was rude? i am a major ryan newman fan and was crying when he won too. she couldn't control that she had a heart attack. you should feel bad about what you said and i hope you do. you must not care about anyone's feelings. I thought this story was a very good one and I'm so glad that she is alright. One other thing, Ryan is an awesome driver that does a lot for charity and loves his fans. If your going to talk bad about a driver maybe pick one that isn't so caring like Ryan. Maybe pick Jeff Gordon who only talks about himself...i think you guys would be a good pair. Go Flyin Ryan!!!

Posted by: N on Feb 22, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Hey, I'm passionate about plenty in life. I'm a Die-Hard Cub fan, have been since birth. But I tell you what, when the Cubs win the World Series, no way will I be so happy and freak out so much that I have a frigging heart attack. And no, I dont have a sad, empty existence. My life is very full and very well. Thank you.

Posted by: Diane Location: Goshen on Feb 22, 2008 at 02:08 PM
To N--If you can't say anything nice why take the time to say anything. It's people like you in this world that ruin it for others. You are probaly a very negative person about everything in your life. The rest of the world doesn't want to hear from people like you. I feel you owe my mom an apology. I would be willing to bet you are not a big enough person to do that. Lots of people have Big Passion for a sports team etc. I am a giant Oakland Raiders fan myself. She had no control over what happened to her heart. I agree with Debbie from Warsaw you are rude and Abnoxious!!!!!! I feel sorry for people like you. Get a life!!! If you used as much effort being nice as you do being rude, it would be a better world. God Bless you. Go Newman Go

Posted by: Dawn Location: Michiana on Feb 22, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Bless this woman's soul. You know, if a race makes this woman that excited, then I say good for her. There are too many bad things in this world of ours so enjoy the good we do have. My sister called me crying because she was so happy he won. Maybe to these people it's just the little things they enjoy. Think about that,N. Enjoy the little things.

Posted by: DB Location: NE Indiana on Feb 22, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Awww...I am so happy this woman is ok. I love to see people (especially women) who are a tad older get into sports like this. My late Grandmother just loved to watch Cubs baseball and hubby's late Grandmother loved watching ND football. It gives them something to enjoy and be passionate about in life. Hope you have many more years to root for Ryan! To "N"...you're a hateful human being. Shame on you!

Posted by: Tracy Location: Granger on Feb 22, 2008 at 01:20 PM
What a good story! Thanks, WNDU, for a good one every now and then.

Posted by: Glenn on Feb 22, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Shake 'N Bake, BABY!. Glad to hear there's no long term damage likely. The Steelers' fan that had a grabber when Bettis fumbled in the last minute of the Super Bowl is fine now too.

Posted by: Megan Location: Elkhart on Feb 22, 2008 at 11:41 AM
To N -- Your life must be a very sad, empty existence. I pity you. This dear lady is passionate about something and that is wonderful! She seems like a very joyous person, hopefully it catches and gives you the "bug." God bless you.

Posted by: Debbie Location: Warsaw on Feb 22, 2008 at 10:53 AM
To N.... why don't you get a life and not bad mouth this dear woman like you have. Some people are alot more passionate about things in life then others!!! You are rude and obnoxious!!!

Posted by: Diane Location: Goshen on Feb 22, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I am Demy's oldest daughter. I am so happy that God did not take my mother on Sunday. She is one BIG Ryan Newman fan. I called her right after Ryan won and she could hardly speak to me. When my dad called me later and said that mom was in the hospital, I said what!!!! Why whats wrong. When he told me what happened I could not believe it. She went from Goshen Hospital to Elkhart Hospital in an ambulance with both lights and sierns going the whole time. It was very serious and again I thank God she is still with me. Go Newman Go!!!!! Love You MoM

Posted by: N on Feb 22, 2008 at 07:02 AM
God woman, get a life. I'm a big sports fan myself but I would never get so worked up over a win that I near die. Its just sports. What Newman did has no effect on your life whatsoever Take some ritalin and calm yourself down next time there is a race on. It wasnt even a good win. He did nothing the entire race and was in the right place at the right time, thanks mainly to his teammate.

Posted by: me Location: plymouth on Feb 21, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I agree, this women deserves a visit from ryan newman....

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 21, 2008 at 08:19 PM
hey ryan!this woman was gonna die for you come and see her -ya thats brilliant she cant handle him winning a race what would him coming to see her do to the lady?

Posted by: Lisa Location: Ryan's Hometown on Feb 21, 2008 at 07:56 PM
What a sweet lady! OK Ryan, you really need to arrange to meet her! But, warn her first, so she can take some medicine so this doesn't happen again!!!

Posted by: D on Feb 21, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Hey 12, we don't want her to have another one!

Posted by: jl Location: Niles on Feb 21, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Now I am SURE Ryan's mom and dad will see this story! i hope he gives her a phone call atleast.... But then again, I REALLY hope her heart could handle that!!!!! ;) Demy, I hope you feel better, it's amazing to see our hometown boy make it isn't it?!?!?!?!!!!! You really are his NUMBER ONE FAN!

Posted by: 12 Location: South Bend on Feb 21, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Come on Newman, come see her in Goshen .


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