Mrs. Bridget “Bridie” (Kelliher) Ferdinand, age 74, died Saturday July 28, at the Concord VNA Hospice, after suffering a stroke Friday, July 20th. She was the wife of Anthony P. “Tony” Ferdinand Jr., with whom she had celebrated a 51st wedding anniversary this past September 3rd.
She was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, on September 9, 1932, a daughter of the late James and Bridget (McTernan) Kelliher. She emigrated to the U.S. in 1950, and lived on Anthony Road in Tewksbury from 1955 until 2001. She had since divided her year between N.H. and Holiday, Florida.
As a Tewksbury resident she was a devout communicant of St. William’s Church, and was also a member of the Billerica Irish-American Club. She enjoyed Flower gardening, reading, and Irish music.
She was described by her daughters as having devoted her life to her family.
Besides her husband, she is survived by nine children, Ann McEnnis and her husband Mark of Westford, Tony Ferdinand and his wife Brenda (Hanke) of Brookline, NH, Susan Murphy of West Roxbury, Barbara O’Dell and her husband Brian of Washington, Kathleen Ferdinand of Dracut, James “Jim” Ferdinand and his wife Diedre of Litchfield, NH, Paul Ferdinand and his wife Nuala of Pinehurst, N.C., Peter Ferdinand of Fitchburg, Bridget Desroches and her husband David of Groton; fourteen grandchildren; one great grandson; and many nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday, July 31, in St. William’s Church, Tewksbury.
Burial followed at St. Mary Cemetery in No. Tewksbury. Memorials the Concord Regional VNA Hospice House, 250 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03302-1797 or Globe Santa Trust Fund, c/o Citizens Bank, P.O. Box 845059, Boston, MA 02284-5059 will be appreciated.