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Helena Edward Obituary
Princeton - Helena "Lee" Kelliher Edwards, M.D., 64, of Princeton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at UMass Memorial-University Campus, Worcester, after a short illness.
She was born and raised in Milton, the daughter of Francis and Miriam (Hoy) Kelliher, and was a graduate of Milton High School. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Tufts University and her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Her residency was completed at the University Medical Center in Arizona.
In 1980 she established Holden Pediatrics on Boyden Road in Holden, in order to treat children, infants and adolescents. She was a caring and devoted pediatrician for 40 years where her life was her family, her friends and her patients and their parents. "Some people spend their whole lives wondering if they make a difference", Dr. Kelliher made a difference with each child she treated.
She leaves behind her husband of 24 years, Richard P. Edwards; two sons, Paul S. Edwards and Andrew S. Edwards, both at home; two sisters, Carolyn A. Kelliher of Hingham and Jeanne Donahue and her husband, Edwin of Randolph; two nephews; a niece; two grandnephews; and many special lifelong friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or the Greater Boston Food Bank, 70 South Bay Avenue, Boston, MA 02118. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.
www.milesfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Helena Edward
Sponsored by Miles Funeral Home - Holden.
The Dupuis Family
May 17, 2018
We just heard of Dr. Kelliher's passing tonight. I'm so sorry to hear. My children were patients of hers from birth until about 5 years ago when we moved. They were only 3 years and 5 months old when we moved but she made such a lasting impression on us as parents in that short time that I will never forget the wisdom that she imparted. She gave me so much confidence as a mom to trust my own mom instinct and to mother my children. She was such a loving, compassionate doctor and will be forever missed. My prayers and thoughts are with all her family and friends.
April 18, 2018
Just learning of this now. So sad to hear this. She was and amazing woman, who made such a difference in our lives. Rhonda Zelnia
Lauren Garick
December 5, 2017
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Dr. Kelliher's passing. She has been my 9-year old's pediatrician since she was 4 months old. My daughter is adopted and Dr. Kelliher, with her experience, was always understanding of my concerns and fears. We trusted her and appreciated everything she did for us. We will truly miss her. Sending love and strength to her family for their loss.
Lori Houle
December 2, 2017
My deepest sympathies of love to all. Dr. Kelliher has been a Godsend to my family and many families within the community. She has taken such wonderful care of my children who are now adults and has also taken care of my grandchildren for over 30 years. I am so saddened to hear of her loss. A bright light shines in the heavens now, may God and the Angels bless you and your family.
Chris, Will and Matt Dell'Erba
Catherine Dell'Erba
December 1, 2017
My three boys were patients of Dr. Kelliher's and are now 25, 29 and 31. They loved her dearly and so did I. We are so sorry for your family and send our sympathy and condolences. Cathy Dell'Erba
Sally Loverin
November 30, 2017
What a heartbreaking loss for all of the children and families in the Wachusett district, but especially for her husband and her two boys. Though I have never met her twins, I felt like I knew them through all of her fantastic (hilarious) stories, and loved hearing about where they were in their lives. Dr. Kelliher was such a special, caring woman who brought so much into so many lives. She will always be remembered for her warm smile, encyclopedic knowledge, and caring disposition. My heart goes out to her family in this sad time. God bless.
A. Babi
November 30, 2017
I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of Dr. Kelliher. My sincere condolences to her husband and her two boys whom she was so very proud of. Every single visit she would always talk about her pride and joy, her two sons, and how lovely her husband was and she was just so very proud of her family and love them so very much.
Hearing her always being so loving about the people she loved the most made our visits feel so personal. My five-year-old daughter loves her so very much. We loved her as a family so very much that we chose her as a pediatrician for my now 6 month old daughter. She always went above and beyond for us, and would spend as much time as we needed for each appointment. She definitely cared about all of her patients, and was a wonderful pediatrician. In my eyes, there is absolutely no one who could replace the caring, loving, and absolute sincere environment that she provided for us as a pediatrician.
She will be greatly missed not only by us as a family, but the community as a whole. May God be with her husband, two sons, and everyone who she has ever touched.
Fran F
November 22, 2017
So very sad to hear of the passing of Dr Kelliher .. she was a sweet and kind woman and a great Doctor .. this community has suffered a deep loss with her passing . My sincere condolences to her family , she loved her children so much this a terrible loss to her family especially !! Rest In Peace !!!
November 21, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Kelliher's passing. She has been my daughter's pediatrician for the past 17 years. She had such a calming presence about her and handled my personality well with my first and only child. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Robin M.
Anne Lipton
November 20, 2017
My heart is broken for Dr. Kellihers' family and for all the families who relied on her gentle way with children, the kindness and wisdom she imparted on all of us parents. It is broken for her husband and for her sons of whom she adored and was so proud.
My painfully quiet kids werent really shy with her anymore after now almost six years she has been their pediatrician. And now, theyve lost her, too. Im sad for all the kids who have lost her. She always stuck with us, despite the headaches; Some pediatricians would have told us to find another doctor, what with the baggage my kids carry. She dealt with all the things that can be so tough for pediatricians: the crazy ex, custody issues, a guardian litem, and all the problems that children who come out of a situation with conflict, bring. But she wasnt going to leave my kids. She stuck by them, stuck by me. Dr. Kelliher was like a steady ship in our rocky sea those years and beyond. She taught us all, including my ex, with no particular words, only with an empathetic ear and wise questions; She helped us discover the confidence and strength kids get when they have the love of both of their parents and time spent with with both parents even if it is in two different homes. Dr. Kelliher was kind, was wise, had a wonderful sense of humor, and a heart that embraced every kid who came into her office. What a loss for this world that she is gone. I and my children will miss her and we will never forget her.
Jessica Bitzas
November 20, 2017
Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences. It was an honor to have Dr. Kelliher as our children's Pediatrician. We will always remember her fondly and I will always treasure all she taught us as parents. Dr. Kelliher has left an indelible imprint on this community and our hearts.
Suddi St Ives
November 20, 2017
Dear Richard, Paul and Andrew,
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your wife and mother. I just talked to Lee and my Dad's wake last month. As always, she was full of loving stories of all three of you! How she adored you all. She told us not to worry about her as she was getting stronger every day and the oxygen would be gone soon and it was not slowing her down, as if anything really could!
You will be in my thoughts and prayers always.
Paul & Linda Sweeney
November 19, 2017
Our Condolences to Dr. Kelliher's family! Our twin boys have been her patient for 15 years. Just had physicals in Oct. They are very saddened. She always had stories for them about her boys. Made their visit always the most comfortable personal visit. WE all will miss her dearly! She is an exceptional doctor! God Bless You Dr. Kelliher. Paul, Linda, Jack & Bryan Sweeney
Toby, Mark, Michelle and Meredith Goldstein
November 19, 2017
I am so, so sorry and sad about the passing of Dr. Kelliher. She was such an important person in the lives of our children, now 33 and 28. We feel like she helped in the raising of our girls as she was always there to keep them healthy, help them when they were sick, help us with social issues, and always support us as parents. As our kids got older, we enjoyed hearing from her about the progress of her sons and were so happy that she had a beautiful family as did all of her patients. She treated every child and parent as someone she personally cared about while always being the utmost professional and always on the cutting edge of her work. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all her loved ones.
Kerry Riedle
November 19, 2017
I am saddened to hear of lees passing, she was an exuberant woman who brightened anyone's day and made her patients feel like family. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Deanna Ahearn
November 19, 2017
So sorry for your loss. She was an amazing woman and Dr. She will be sad missed by me , my daughters and granddaughtersDeanna,Jillian, Charleigh, Leighann and Georgie
Cathy Polselli
November 19, 2017
Had a conversation with Dr. Kelliher a few months back. I work at Umass and have known her for years. She was so proud of her boys! ~ Sending my condolences to them and her family.
ROBERT HOY
November 19, 2017
Richard and the rest of Lee's family,
Gale and I were so saddened to hear of Lee's passing. We had just seen her some six weeks ago in Milton, and she was determined to get back to her overfull schedule.
I have so many fabulous memories from our childhood. Her family, the beach house, Patches, the horse, cookouts, tree houses.
Then later, in adulthood, meeting Richard, Going to their house for an extended family get-together, seeing their kids grow up through pictures and the "family telegraph".
It never surprised me that she went into practice as she did. She had the drive, the smarts, and the caring gene.
May God bless her and set her a place at the table by her folks and family.
Jenna Brier
November 19, 2017
So sad to hear about the passing of Dr. Kelliher. She was an amazing, compassionate doctor and just an overall great person. She's helped me so much through all my kids diagnosis's. Going in for an appointment you felt like you were talking to a friend. Loved hearing her talk about her boys and dogs and different vacations. She is gone way too soon. Dr. Kelliher you are a true angel.We will miss you so much,The Brier's
Margaret Guzman
November 19, 2017
Dr Kelliher was a wonderful pedi who took care of my three children for over 20 years. It is a loss for our community she served and our medical profession.May you rest in peace Helena.
Cindy and Tessa Gurney
November 19, 2017
I am in shock and heart broken. Dr.Lee was my friend and my daughter's pediatrition. The world has lost an amazing human being. Our condolences to her husband, her boys and all who knew and loved her. Godspeed sweet lady. God needed an angel.
Kim Collins
November 19, 2017
Dr kelliher we miss and love you. Rip thank you for taking such good care of my girls. May you have no more pain nd rest easy. Condolences to her husband and twin boys. This is huge loss
jami carlo
November 19, 2017
I am saddened to see this. She was my four kids pedi and now my five g kids pedi too. A little story about her. When my twins were born, my husband and I were struggling financially. I ran things by her and within weeks, she herself would call me and say "This is Helena Kelliher...we have salesmen that give us a lot of extra cases of formula. You know how tight our space is here, Do you think you could have your husband come up after work and pick up a couple of them?" The woman was a saint. God Bless You, Dr. Kelliher always and foever
Tara Letourneau
November 18, 2017
Dr. Kelliher was my pediatrician and a great one.I really loved how kind and caring she was. Thoughts and prayers to all her family and friends...
Cheryl Edwards
November 18, 2017
Sorry for your loss. Rip
Kathy Kittredge
November 18, 2017
My heart is broken--she was amazing!! She took care of my kids and now my grand-kids--- no one can ever take her place----I will miss her--such a huge loss
Kimberly Collins
November 18, 2017
Dr kelliher was the best Dr. My 2 daughters and I adored her she will be greatly missed by all. I will miss all the talks we would have during my dtrs sick visits. Holden pediatrics will never be the same . We love you and thank you for all you did Dr. Kelliher. Sending comforts and prayers to her family. Love Kim aaliyah and Sandra
November 18, 2017
Dr. Kelliher will be missed by many. As a family we loved her caring, natural, down to earth way of handling our children from infancy to adulthood as patients of hers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Kelliher along with her twin sons and family.
The Packard Family
Nina Holton
November 18, 2017
Such a quality human being and such a wonderful physician. She touched so many lives. Thank you Dr. Kelliher.
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