‘The Amazing Race’ alum Jody Kelly dead at 85

“The Amazing Race” alum Jody Kelly has died. She was 85.

Her daughter Kelly Foster confirmed her death in a Facebook post on Sept. 6.

“I lost my mother yesterday. Jody Kelly was 85 years old and so full of life, joy, and learning,” she wrote. “She always had a smile for everyone she interacted with and loved meeting people and having new adventures. She was so active and was always thinking of how to get in her exercise for the day. She carried exercise bands if she traveled and made it a point to do something physical every day.”

Foster continued: “I miss you so much and can’t believe you are gone. You are strong, loving, happy, open-minded, smart, active, and brave.”

Kelly was the oldest female competitor on the series. The former English professor competed on Season 16 of the CBS show, hosted by Phil Keoghan, with her granddaughter Shannon Foster in 2010. At the time, she was 71 and Shannon was 22.

A cause of death has not been revealed. However, her obituary in the Austin American-Statesman states that she died “suddenly but peacefully” while attending a Spanish language immersion camp in Bemidji, Minnesota, on Sept. 5.

The former reality star taught at the University of Louisiana for 16 years. During her retirement, her interests included strength training, triathlon, stand-up comedy and creative writing.

Kelly is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, four children, 11 grandchildren and eight grandchildren.