Margaret Kelleher, 95, of South Hadley, MA peacefully passed away on March 12, 2023. Margaret was born on November 29, 1927 in Idle, Yorkshire, England, the daughter of Percy and Lily (Imeson) Sutton.  In the early 1930s, the Suttons moved to #8 Trafford Road, Norwich, England where in 1942, their home was bombed by the Nazis during the Blitzkrieg.  The family was huddled in a backyard bomb shelter and were spared injury while many of their neighbors perished.  The parish of St. Albans Church, Norwich, made a home for the family in their vicarage for several weeks until a new home was secured at #27 Grove Avenue, Norwich.  It was during these teenage war years in England that Margaret developed lifelong friendships with Irene Holman and Thelma Lawrence.

In 1951, while employed at the Refuge Assurance Company, Margaret met a U.S. Airman at the Samson & Hercules Ballroom in Norwich, England.  Cornelius had flown 30 bomb missions from nearby Knettishall Airfield during WWII and was on post-war assignment in the area.  They were soon engaged, committing Margaret to leaving her cherished homeland and beloved English family to join "Neil" as he pursued his career in the U.S. Air Force, wherever it took him.  They were married on May 22, 1952 in Westport, CT.  Forever a proper Englishwoman, Margaret successfully retained her Yorkshire accent, sipped afternoon tea, enjoyed an occasional gin and tonic and loved everything British, especially her family and Queen Elizabeth.

In 1961 Margaret and Neil settled in South Hadley where they raised their three children.  Margaret became the consummate homemaker.  She was an avid gardener, expert seamstress, cook, baker, and conservationist.  Margaret had a lifelong passion for a self-sustaining lifestyle and avoided any unnecessary waste.  To her final days, she would ask for uneaten bread be given to the birds.  Margaret naturally developed many friendships in South Hadley and enjoyed her women's tennis groups and craft associations.  Her gentle and humble demeanor was endearing to everyone she met.

Margaret was predeceased by her devoted husband of 61 years, Cornelius H. Kelleher in 2013 and an infant granddaughter, Elizabeth M. Bernard in 1994.  She is survived by three loving children, Margaret E. Bernard and her husband Ray of South Hadley, Patrick J. Kelleher and his wife Meg of Marshfield, MA and Timothy J. Kelleher of Watertown, MA.  Also, seven adoring grandchildren: Nicholas Bernard of Enfield, CT; Patrick Kelleher, Jr. and Haleigh Kelleher, both of Boston, MA and Christopher Kelleher of San Diego, CA; Devon, Graeme, and Eva Kelleher of Danvers, MA and Watertown, MA, and their mother Lauren Sullivan of Danvers, MA.  In addition to her parents, in England Margaret was predeceased by her siblings, William Sutton, Barbara (Sutton) Fisk, and two nieces, Helen Fisk and Gillian (Sutton) Woods. She is survived by four nieces and their families, Lesley (Sutton) Mulrain, Rita (Fisk) Gammon, Rachael (Fisk) Gascoyne, Angela (Fisk) Groom and a cousin, Eileen (Sutton) Hall.

Margaret's family will be forever grateful for the comfort and compassion provided by her many caregivers over the past months, especially the nurses, CNAs and staff at Regalcare at Hoyoke. The funeral will be Thursday March 16 ^th at 10:15 am from the O'Brien Family Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St., South Hadley followed by Mass in St. Patrick's Church at 11:15am. Burial in the Mass Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Calling hours are Wednesday March 15 ^th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. For more information or to make online condolences please go to obrienfamilyfh.com.