Sally Keaney Gorman of Randolph, died peacefully in her own bed on Saturday 4th June. Per her desire, she was cared for at home in her infirmity, by her daughter Maureen.
Sally was born and raised in Jamaica Plain and graduated from Boston Teacher’s College before marrying and raising three children. She later attained her nursing degree followed by a Masters of Nursing.
Sally worked as a psychiatric nurse at the Jamaica Plain VA, and then the Boston Home as volunteer coordinator. She thoroughly enjoyed and valued her patients, volunteers, and colleagues.
Sally loved hiking, and in her 50s, became a member of the AMCs “4,000 Footers Club,” a distinction given to those who hiked all of the 4000 feet and higher mountains in New England. This included long, multi-peak treks, and staying in huts on the Appalachian trail with her carrying the majority of the gear for herself and her 70 year old hiking partner.
She loved meditation and practiced for many years. She was an avid reader of all genres, and a frequent flyer at Randolph’s Turner Free Library where they knew her by name. Sally loved books, education, and in her later years, smoking pot and giving the finger. She loved British television, especially the crime drama Vera, and anything from Masterpiece Theatre.
She loved her large extended family, especially her cousins and their long running book club. She relished her role as one of its elder stateswomen. She loved her three dogs, but especially Mac Daddy, who with his five pounds of sass and swagger watched over and protected her until the very end.
She was a generous donor to many charities and to all who asked. Sally didn’t want a wake, so instead of sending flowers to the funeral home we would ask that you consider a donation to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at https://stjude.org or the MSPCA at https://mspca.org.
She is survived by her three daughters: Maire of Jamaica Plain, Jeanne (James) of London, and Maureen of Randolph. She was the devoted daughter of Bartley and Bridget Keaney of Jamaica Plain, sister of Mary and John, all who all pre-deceased her. Sally also leaves a legion of cherished cousins, friends and wonderful neighbors who adored her.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 10th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 14 Montebello Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.