Marie O. (O'Connell) Kelleher

Longtime East Longmeadow resident, Marie (O�Connell) Kelleher, 80, died peacefully at home on Friday, December 15, 2017. She was born in Springfield on October 3, 1937, to the late Henry and Nonie (Killeen) O�Connell. She was the beloved wife of William, devoted mother of Kathleen, William and wife Laura, James and Patricia and husband Steven Rich, cherished grandmother of Amy, Danielle, Phoebe, Elizabeth, Jared, Daniel, Jack, Steven, Caroline, Cassidy and Carlin and caring sister�of Henry O'Connell and Kathleen O. Moakler. She was predeceased by brothers Donald and William O'Connell. Marie was a 1954 graduate of Cathedral High School and the Mercy School of Nursing where she earned her Certificate as a Registered Nurse. She was a pioneer in the field of cardiac rehabilitation at Baystate Medical Center. There she was the first RN in the rehab program. Marie played many starring roles in local community theatre including �Sound of Music� and �Anything Goes.� She has sung internationally in Germany and Ireland. She was also an award winning actress in local community theatre festivals. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful, caring staff at East Village Place in East Longmeadow. A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 20th at 10:00 am at St. Michael�s Church, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow. Burial will be private. Wilbraham Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boston University Alzheimer�s Disease Center, 72 East Concord Street-Robinson 7800, Boston, MA 02118 (in memo line please indicate: In memory of Marie Kelleher, Route 28 South).