Joy (Varteresian) Kelliher

Joy (Varteresian) Kelliher, 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, John B. Kelliher II. 

She is survived by her three children and six grandchildren, Debra McCarthy and her husband Jack of Estero, FL, and their two children, Taylor and husband Michael Catalina of Vernon, CT and Conor of Webster; John B. Kelliher lll and his wife Lori of Sandwich, and their two children, John B Kelliher IV and wife Kirsti of Myrtle Beach, SC., and Daniel of Sandwich; Eric Kelliher and his partner Kim Chilingirian of Salisbury, MA, and his two children Grace and Thomas of Shrewsbury.  She was predeceased by her daughter Christine E. Kelliher and siblings, Varteras Varteresian, Anna Hagopian, Ethel Asadoorian, and Alice Garabedian.  Auntie Joy will be greatly missed by her many nieces and nephews.

Born in Newton on December 24, 1934, she was the daughter of Maderos and Ogenie (Harangi) Varteresian.  Joy lived in Auburn for the past 6 years, previously living in Centerville and Whitinsville.  She was a graduate of Northbridge Public Schools, and started her career in finance at the Credit Union in the Whitin Machine Works, before moving to Cape Cod with her husband in 1979.  She worked for Cape Cod Anesthesia Assoc. and was the bookkeeper for the family-owned business, New Village Square Realty Trust, in Sandwich before her retirement. 

Joy and her husband Jack loved spending time on Cape Cod beaches, taking in many sunsets.  She enjoyed traveling with her family.  Some of her favorite vacations destinations included - the Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  Her grandchildren will cherish the many memories of their overnight stays at “Grammy’s House”.   She enjoyed quilting and crocheting with her friends, but her true love was cooking, especially for holiday gatherings.  She was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Whitinsville and Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, where she was a devoted member of the Friday Grandmother’s Prayer Group.    

The family would like to thank the staff at Life Care Center of Auburn and the nurses from New England Hospice for their compassionate care.

Calling hours at Jackman Funeral Home, 12 Spring St., Whitinsville will be held on Sunday, March 20th from 4-6 PM and on Monday March 21st from 12-1 PM. Joy’s funeral home service will take place on Monday, March 21st at 1 PM. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Whitinsville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joy’s memory to New England Hospice at www.newenglandhospice.com/donations.html To leave a condolence message for her family please visit: http://www.Jackmanfuneralhomes.com

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