Helen
Helen Winter Kelleher
d. February 15, 2017
Irene 'Renie' Winter Kelleher, age 72, passed away on February 14, 2017, at her home in Savannah, GA, surrounded by her family after a lengthy illness.
Renie was born July 12, 1944, in Richmond, VA, where she graduated from Hermitage High School in 1962 and attended Virginia Commonwealth University. She worked in the research department at A.H. Robins Pharmaceuticals and subsequently in the investment business. In her early twenties, after randomly selecting city names from a hat, Renie and a friend decided to move to Boston, MA, where she met and married her husband, John 'Jack' F. Kelleher, Jr., in May 1969. They had two children: Shannon Irene Kelleher and John F. Kelleher III.
Renie was a devout Catholic and a communicant of St. James Church in Savannah and Sacred Heart Church in South Natick, MA.?? She fought for the protection of children by serving as a director on the board of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) and leading a number of initiatives for MSPCC. ??She was an active volunteer for her church and her children's schools, supporting organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Pop Warner Youth Football and the Boy Scouts.
After retiring with her husband to Savannah, Renie became involved in the local RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) support group, encouraging more awareness and treatment for the disease.?? She suffered from RSD, a degenerative bone and nerve disease and wanted to find ways to help others in a similar situation.
Renie will be remembered for her quick wit, infectious laugh and fantastic cooking. She enjoyed reading, traveling, gardening and shopping. Renie was an avid sports fan, supporting her two favorite teams: Notre Dame's Fighting Irish and the five-time world Champion New England Patriots. She was also fortunate to have been present to witness a number of iconic moments in Boston sports history, including Bobby Orr's 1970 Stanley Cup game-winning goal and Carlton Fisk's home run in Game 6 of 1975 World Series.
Above all, Renie will be remembered for her love of family. More than anything, she treasured time with her large family and her three grandchildren whom she adored.
Renie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Bernard Winter and Rosemary Stouffs Winter, as well as three of her nine siblings: Mary Kathleen, Stephen Winter and Anne Winter Flagg.
Renie is survived by her husband, Jack Kelleher, of Savannah, GA, formerly of Boston, MA; her daughter, Shannon I. Kelleher, of Savannah, GA; her son and daughter-in-law, John and Pamela Kelleher, of Glen Allen, VA, and her three grandchildren: Megan, Jack and Connor.
She is also survived by three sisters: Rosemary Witt; Patricia Hargrove; and Joyce Galloway, all of Richmond, VA; and two brothers: J.B. Winter of Scottsdale, AZ; and Kenneth Winter of Richmond, VA. Renie also leaves behind 23 nieces and nephews, numerous cousins and many good friends.
The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 o\'clock Monday, February 20, 2017, at Gamble Funeral Service - 410 Stephenson Avenue.
The memorial service will be held at 11 o\'clock Monday, February 20, 2017, in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service conducted by Father Mark J. Ross.
Donations may be made in her name to Island Hospice by visiting www.thagroup.org (click on the Island Hospice Tab).
Renie was born July 12, 1944, in Richmond, VA, where she graduated from Hermitage High School in 1962 and attended Virginia Commonwealth University. She worked in the research department at A.H. Robins Pharmaceuticals and subsequently in the investment business. In her early twenties, after randomly selecting city names from a hat, Renie and a friend decided to move to Boston, MA, where she met and married her husband, John 'Jack' F. Kelleher, Jr., in May 1969. They had two children: Shannon Irene Kelleher and John F. Kelleher III.
Renie was a devout Catholic and a communicant of St. James Church in Savannah and Sacred Heart Church in South Natick, MA.?? She fought for the protection of children by serving as a director on the board of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) and leading a number of initiatives for MSPCC. ??She was an active volunteer for her church and her children's schools, supporting organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Pop Warner Youth Football and the Boy Scouts.
After retiring with her husband to Savannah, Renie became involved in the local RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) support group, encouraging more awareness and treatment for the disease.?? She suffered from RSD, a degenerative bone and nerve disease and wanted to find ways to help others in a similar situation.
Renie will be remembered for her quick wit, infectious laugh and fantastic cooking. She enjoyed reading, traveling, gardening and shopping. Renie was an avid sports fan, supporting her two favorite teams: Notre Dame's Fighting Irish and the five-time world Champion New England Patriots. She was also fortunate to have been present to witness a number of iconic moments in Boston sports history, including Bobby Orr's 1970 Stanley Cup game-winning goal and Carlton Fisk's home run in Game 6 of 1975 World Series.
Above all, Renie will be remembered for her love of family. More than anything, she treasured time with her large family and her three grandchildren whom she adored.
Renie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Bernard Winter and Rosemary Stouffs Winter, as well as three of her nine siblings: Mary Kathleen, Stephen Winter and Anne Winter Flagg.
Renie is survived by her husband, Jack Kelleher, of Savannah, GA, formerly of Boston, MA; her daughter, Shannon I. Kelleher, of Savannah, GA; her son and daughter-in-law, John and Pamela Kelleher, of Glen Allen, VA, and her three grandchildren: Megan, Jack and Connor.
She is also survived by three sisters: Rosemary Witt; Patricia Hargrove; and Joyce Galloway, all of Richmond, VA; and two brothers: J.B. Winter of Scottsdale, AZ; and Kenneth Winter of Richmond, VA. Renie also leaves behind 23 nieces and nephews, numerous cousins and many good friends.
The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 o\'clock Monday, February 20, 2017, at Gamble Funeral Service - 410 Stephenson Avenue.
The memorial service will be held at 11 o\'clock Monday, February 20, 2017, in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service conducted by Father Mark J. Ross.
Donations may be made in her name to Island Hospice by visiting www.thagroup.org (click on the Island Hospice Tab).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Winter Kelleher, please visit our flower store.
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