Jody Kelly, Amazing Race Alum, Dead At 85

Retired teacher-turned Amazing Race contestant Jody Kelly, who was 71 when she competed in Season 16 of CBS' unscripted endurance test alongside her granddaughter, died "suddenly but peacefully" on Sept. 5, the Austin-American Statesman reports. She was 85.

According to the paper, Kelly — who lived in Austin, TX — died while attending a Spanish language immersion camp in Minnesota.

For 16 years, Kelly taught English at the University of Louisiana. In the mid-80s, she pivoted to computer science, joining IBM as a technical writer, before returning to reaching at Austin Community College. She authored a number of self-help books, including Feeling Good: Strength Training with Your Significant Elder.

Kelly and granddaughter Shannon Foster were the second team eliminated in Amazing Race's 16th season, which premiered on CBS in Feb. 2010.

Following her time on the show, Kelly — who was a breast cancer survivor — started her own business, StrengthMobile, which provided physical training for senior citizens. She also continued to compete in triathlons.

Kelly is survived by her four children and 11 grandchildren.