Frances M. Kelleher, 92

Frances Kelleher, a 54-year resident of Rockville Centre, died on July 29.

Born in Hartford, Conn., she was the daughter of Frances Ireland and Ernest J. Mehr.  She grew up in Yonkers, where she graduated from Gorton High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of New Rochelle in 1941 and worked as an actuarial accountant for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company until her marriage to Francis X. Kelleher in 1946.  They moved to Levittown in 1948 and then to Rockville Centre in 1958.

Her daughter said that her life reflected her faith, love and her on-going concern for others. Her life’s work was her family — her children and grandchildren — and those she encountered in her everyday life. To those who did not know her, it might have looked as if she led an ordinary life. For those who knew her, though, she was far from ordinary: she was an extraordinary woman, whose deep spirituality let her see the everyday miracles God puts in our paths each day. Her sweet smile and gentle laugh expressed her joy at such seemingly ordinary miracles as the bouquet of hand-picked flowers her granddaughter presents as she arrives for a visit; a line of baby ducks toddling after their mother to the pond; her grandson’s loving big, big hug; 26 Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle; an unexpected lady slipper in the garden.

Frances understood how important our everyday presence in each other’s lives is; she treasured those times when she could gather her family together to celebrate a birthday or holiday or just to visit. She engineered bridge games; won at Scrabble; enjoyed a conversation with a close friend. Over the years, she was active in the Boy and Girl Scouts, the St. Agnes Mother’s Club and Rosary Altar Society. She was adventuresome, always excited about new experiences, whether it was trying a new recipe, finding a new friend, traveling for a day in the city to see a play or visit a museum; just going out to dinner. She loved to travel, whether it was to visit family in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Chicago or Texas; or a journey to a place she had never visited before like Italy, France, China, Korea.

After Frank’s death in 1983, she continued her journey without him, reaching out to a wide circle of friends as well as her family. She showed her concern for others with phone calls, cards, letters, or an apple pie to express her thanks for a good deed or to console someone for a recent sorrow. These were all a testament to her deep spirituality, a good life lived delighting in the ordinary miracles God gives us each day.

In addition to her husband, Frances was predeceased by a son, Edward Kelleher. She is survived by children Frances Kelleher and Susan Schwartzlander; Kathleen and D. Stephen Rockwood; Thomas and Camille Kelleher; Patricia and Mark Etienne, James and C. Ellen Kelleher; Joan and Richard Jordan; Charles and Patrice Kelleher and daughter-in-law Christine Ho Kelleher. She leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Barbara Shaffer (Mark); Laura Rockwood; Christopher and Michelle Jordan; Mary and Frances Kelleher; Carolyn Etienne, Erin and Charles Kelleher and Andrew Kelleher. She was the sister of Barbara Vito.

Frances lay in repose at Macken Mortuary and a Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Agnes Cathedral on Aug. 2. Her family said that gifts in her memory may be made to the College of New Rochelle or a charity of your choice.