Eileen Griffin Kelley (Margaret Eileen Griffin), wife of deceased David W. Kelley of Weston died on August 25th at Newton Wellesley Hospital after a stroke suffered the week before. She was born in Revere, MA on October 15, 1912 and shortly thereafter her family moved to Concord where she grew up.
She leaves seven children: Donna P., David G. (Rose Mary), Richard A., Edward G., Virginia M., Dara E., Christopher L. (Pam). and a son previously deceased, Peter G. Kelley. She also leaves eight grandchildren, Michael, Gregory, Ryan, Brittany, Christopher, Gavin, James, Will and extended family.
Eileen grew up with her brother, Joseph and a sister, Mimi. Her Dad was a food broker at Fanueil Hall and her mother was a homemaker. She graduated from the renowned New England Conservatory of Music with a degree in 1934 with a Bachelor of Music with a Concentration in Organ. She married our Dad after meeting him in Cambridge while he was attending Harvard Law School.
Mom was a lifelong member of the Dartmouth Women’s Club and a co-founder of the Aquinas House at Dartmouth College. She was a very gifted pianist and organist who first played the organ at a catholic church in Hingham when she was 14. She played the organ in churches from Maine to Rhode Island into her early nineties, working with technicians and experts alike to restore and correct deficiencies at every church organ and piano that felt the gifted hands of her talents.
She taught both instruments as well as leading many choral groups. She played services in front of a sitting US president and his Eminence the Cardinal Cushing of Boston. She played Happy Birthday a thousand times if but once.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt 16) WELLESLEY, MA on Saturday at 8:30 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Julia’s Roman Catholic Church in Weston Center at 9:30 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours are on Friday from 5-8 PM. Interment at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline.
Flowers are fine or donations may be made to: Monastery of the Precious Blood, Sisters of the Precious Blood, 400 Pratt Street, Watertown, NY 13601-4238 in her name.
We look forward to a celebration of Mom’s life with all of you.