Edna S. Betty Kelliher

KELLIHER, EDNA S. 'BETTY (SWANSON), 95, of the Villa Del Rio Apartments in Warwick and most recently a resident of the Scallop Shell Nursing Center in South Kingston passed away on November 20th at the South County Hospital.

She was the daughter of the late August and Matilda Swanson, and wife to the late Edward W. Kelliher.

She was born in Providence but had lived in Warwick for the past 50 years. In 1987 she retired as a travel agent from the Church Travel Agency after spending over 50 years in the travel business where she traveled extensively. One of her most memorable experiences was during the 1938 hurricane that hit Rhode Island. She was working at Church Travel when the hurricane hit and as the water flooded her office she had to go out into the water and went up into the building next door where she was able to get to the second floor. She eventually was rescued by rowboat from the second floor window of the office to safety.

She leaves two sons, Edward Kelliher of Springfield, Virginia and Stephen Kelliher and wife Karen of South Kingstown. Also a sister, Dorothy Houghton of Point Judith. She leaves a niece, Nancy Vale and husband David, and a nephew, Montifix Houghton and wife Michelle. Also several grand nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Michael Kelliher and a sister of the late Alyce Morgan.

Her visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 25 at 8:15 to 9:15 AM at the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Avenue in Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Williams Church, 200 Pettaconsett Ave., Warwick where she was a communicant for many years. Burial will follow at the Pawtuxet Memorial Cemetery in Warwick. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scallop Shell Nursing Center Staff Activities Fund, 981 Kingston Road, Peace Dale, RI 02883. Information at www.thequinnfuneralhome.com