Janet L. Kelliher

YARTMOUTHPORT —

Janet Louise (Sanford) Kelliher, of Yarmouthport, formerly of Nashua, N.H., died from complications of pancreatic cancer, at Cape Cod Hospital, on Oct. 17, 2007, surrounded by family.

She was the devoted wife of Joseph Douglas "Doug" Kelliher of Yarmouthport, and loving mother of John Laurence Kelliher and his wife Laurel of Monkton, Vt., and Joseph Douglas Kelliher Jr. and his wife Shelly of Nashua, N.H.

Born in Melrose, to Agnes and Laurence Sanford, Jan graduated from Our Lady of Nazareth Academy in Wakefield, received a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine, and completed a master's degree from Antioch University New England in Keene, N.H.

Jan taught in the Nashua, N.H., school system for 30 years and was named Nashua Teacher of the Year in 1992. Most of her years were spent teaching 5th and 6th graders at the Bicentennial School in Nashua. Jan retired with Doug to Yarmouthport in 2002.

Janet's faith was most important to her. She was a daily communicant of St. Pius X Catholic Church in South Yarmouth. She was president of the Women's Guild, an active member of the St. Pius' community, and a Eucharist minister, who served Thirwood Place retirement community for the past three years.

A woman of many talents and great love of people, Jan devoted many hours to her family and friends, her church, and social organizations. Jan was always there for everyone who needed her, no matter the circumstances. She loved living on the Cape and all the activities associated with being near the ocean.

Upon her retirement, Jan became involved part time with the Yarmouth Recreation Department. She was the registration clerk for the Flax Pond Summer Youth program. Jan enjoyed being a member of the Cape Cod Cribbage Club, Queen of her Red Hat group - "The Stuffed Quahogs," and was involved in the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Association of University Women.

A new, avid golfer, she was a member of the Bass River "9 holers," and won the flight championship in 2007, her first year in the league.

In addition to her husband and sons, surviving relatives include two brothers, Laurence F. Sanford Jr. of Tewksbury and John N. Sanford of Melrose; and two sisters, Barbara S. Fitzpatrick of Yarmouthport and Annette Marshall of Indialantic, Fla. She adored her four Kelliher grandchildren, Adam, Liam, Kara, and Owen. Jan was greatly loved by numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends, many of whom were able to visit with her in person or via e-mail or phone over the course of her brief illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 21, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Morris & O'Connor Funeral Home, 58 Long Pond Drive, South Yarmouth.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, at 11:30 a.m., on Monday, Oct. 22. Burial will follow in Chandler Gray Cemetery, West Yarmouth.

For directions and online guest book, please visit www.morrisoconnor.com.