Obituary of Theresa A. (MacLellan) Keilty

Theresa A. (MacLellan) Keilty, 81, wife of John C. Keilty of Danvers, died at her residence in Danvers on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. Mrs. Keilty was born in Boston on July 1, 1929 the daughter of Archibald and Ann (MacInnis) MacLellan. She was raised in Dorchester and graduated from the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in 1947. Following her marriage in 1950, Theresa moved to Peabody where she resided until 2007. In 2008, she and her husband John moved to the Putnam Farm Assisted Living facility in Danvers. Theresa was employed by the Peabody Division of The Massachusetts Trial Court’s Probation Department. She retired from her position as Chief Administrative Assistant after 25 years of dedicated service. In addition to her working, she was a loving mother who devoted her life to creating a home for her family. Later she was quite proud of her 4 grandchildren and their accomplishments. Theresa was a very active in the community. She sat on the Board of Directors of Citizens for Adequate Housing, was a member and past President of the Explorers Club of the North Shore and prided herself as being instrumental in the founding of the Red Hat Society, Peabody Chapter. As a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church, she became an Extraordinary Minister, taught Bible Study and served for many years on the Parish Council. In addition to International travel, Terry, was a voracious reader, enjoyed gardening, painting and spending summer days on West Beach with her family and friends. In addition to her husband with whom she shared 61 years of marriage, she is survived by 2 sons and their spouses, John R. and Bernadette M. Keilty of Peabody, and Charles J. and Terry B. Keilty of Georgetown; 4 cherished grandchildren, Shaun E. Keilty of Danvers, Ian M. Keilty, Joshua C. Keilty both of Peabody and Emma T. Keilty of Georgetown; a sister, Catherine Giblin of Stoughton; and many nieces and nephews. Her brother Alexander MacLellan predeceased her. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 9:45 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant Street, Danvers. The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 from 4 to 7 p.m. The family requested that memorial contributions be made in Theresa’s name to the Special Olympics of Massachusetts, www.specialolympicsma.org , 512 Forest St., Marlborough, MA 01752. Burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody.