Fernande M. Kelleher
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Fernande "Nan" Kelleher of South Hadley died Tuesday after a long illness. She was the youngest of 10 children born to Hattie and Ferdinand Laprade of Easthampton on March 14, 1938. Nan grew up in Easthampton and was a graduate of St. Michael's High School and Providence Hospital School of Nursing. In 1959 she married her devoted husband Thomas Kelleher and they eventually settled in South Hadley.
Along with her husband, she leaves children Karen Malone of Stafford, CT, Mark of Granby, MA, Linda Zina and her husband John of Belchertown, Daniel and his wife Erica of South Hadley, Glenn and his wife Silvana of Southwick, and Keith and his girlfriend Dorice of Boston. She also leaves 21 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Nan worked as a registered nurse at Providence Hospital in Holyoke for 40 years. She was also devoted to her church, sharing her beautiful voice with the congregation of St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish in South Hadley as a cantor and soloist for weekly Masses as well as countless weddings and funerals. Nan enjoyed sewing, crossword puzzles and gardening. She stayed active and made many friends in her bowling and golf leagues. Nan excelled in bowling and was especially proud to have golfed a hole-in-one twice.
Family and friends are invited to offer condolences at Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home Sunday from 4-7pm and join in a celebration of her life at her funeral Mass Monday at 9am at St Theresa's in South Hadley. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Jude Children's Hospital or the Alzheimer's Association. For details and complete notice, please visit www.beersandstory.com