Haverhill: Mary E. Kelleher, 99, passed away Friday, December 23, at Hannah Duston Healthcare. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis V. Kelleher. Mary was born in Haverhill, MA on August 15, 1917, the daughter of the late William James McDonnell and Annie (Cunningham) McDonnell.
She was a graduate of St. James High School in Haverhill, later attending Mount Auburn Hospital School for Nursing in Cambridge MA. After graduating from nursing school, she worked her entire life caring for others as a registered nurse. Mary was employed as an RN with the former Hale Hospital in Haverhill for many years until her retirement in 1977. She and her husband lived in Westville, NH for most of their adult lives before moving to Haverhill Crossings in 2002. Before moving to Haverhill Crossings, she and her late husband enjoyed spending winters in Fort Myers, Florida.
Mary loved music in all forms. In her youth, she played piano and enjoyed singing with her brothers who also played musical instruments. She had a special place in her heart for Frank Sinatra. An avid sports fan, she had a special affection for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Boston College Eagles. She was a most positive, gracious, and kind influence to everyone she met during her long happy life. She took great pleasure in the time she spent with her loving family and the many dear friends she made at Haverhill Crossings during her 14-year stay there.
Mary is survived by several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, January 3, from 10-11 AM from the Grondin-Carnevale Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA. Immediately following the visitation a service will be held from the funeral home at 11:00 AM. A graveside committal will take place in the spring.
The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Mary’s memory to The Macula Vision Research Foundation, 100 Front Street, Suite 300, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2894.