Obituary of Theresa F. Kelleher

Therese F. (Mokrohajsky) Kelleher, 97, passed away peacefully on December 26th, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. Therese was born in Binghamton, NY on May 11, 1916. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 68 years, Joseph R. Kelleher, as well as her son, Joseph Kelleher. Joe and Therese resided at 28 Beacon St., Port Dickinson, for 55 years. She is survived by her daughter, Judy Ames and her husband Ted of Hilton, NY; son, Arthur Kelleher, MD of San Diego, CA and Michele Morningstar of Friendsville, PA; grandchildren, Terri Roethel and her fiance Kevin Blackburn, Tina Sharpe and her fiance Terry Strang, Scott Ames and his wife Jen, Kim Palmer and her husband Kevin, Sarah Pagliarella and her husband Mark; former daughter-in-law, Cindy Kelleher; great-grandchildren, Jordan and Jessica Roethel, Kaleb and Reagan McCombs, Ian Sharpe, Celest and Gavin Pagliarella, Joseph and Addison Ames, whom their great-grandmother doted on and talked about lovingly. Therese was a graduate of St. Patrick's Academy in Binghamton and St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester, NY in 1939. Following her graduation from nursing school, she worked as an Operating Room nurse at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton. She continued to work as a nurse part time through the years, balancing work with child rearing until retirement age. She worked at Lourdes Hospital as a private duty nurse and finally at Elizabeth Church Manor in Binghamton. She was an active member of St. Catherine's/St. Francis Parish in Hillcrest. For 63 years she served as a frequent volunteer and member of the Altar Rosary Society. She met her husband Joe on a blind date and they were married in 1941. The marriage early on endured a two-year separation with a young child while Joe was off to war in Europe during World War II. Therese's love for her husband Joe was limitless and will be eternal. She loved her family unconditionally, actively celebrating their triumphs and supporting them in their woes. She never had an unkind word to say about anyone and everyone who knew her was touched by her gentle ways. She was respected and loved by many and will be greatly missed. The family would like to express thanks to the caregivers at Elizabeth Church Manor, Emeritus at Landing of Brockport, NY and the Lakeside-Beikirch Care Center, also in Brockport. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Hillcrest, Friday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends and family at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton, Thursday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Therese may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1031 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901.