Alison Kealy Hayes

Chelmsford

Alison Kealy Hayes, 51, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Lowell, MA on November 18, 1971, and was a daughter of Robert M. and Patricia A. (Dillon) Kealy of Chelmsford.

Alison attended Lowell High School where she was captain of the tennis team. Though a tenacious competitor on the court, Alison was better known for her leadership off the court and her kindness to opposing teams. She furthered her education at Boston College where she earned a BA in Psychology and later at UMASS Boston where she earned a MA and CAGS in School Psychology.

Alison was motivated by a life-long desire to help improve the lives of others. She was a school psychologist at the Vining and Hajjar Elementary Schools in Billerica, MA for approximately 18 years and later at the Wynn Middle School in Tewksbury, MA where she has worked for the last 10 years. In her work, she helped many students in crisis thereby saving many children's lives.

Alison's greatest joy was being a mother to her devoted son, Jake. She loved to entertain Jake and "The Boys." She had her basement renovated so that Jake could entertain his friends in a space close to the pool. Alison loved knowing Jake was close-by. "The Boys" were over there almost every night and Alison made sure they were well-fed. She also loved cheering Jake on during his successes in sports and in life. Being on the baseball field watching Jake play, while sitting in her favorite canopy chair, was one of her favorite places to be. Most recently, Alison was overjoyed with Jake's acceptance to Merrimack College and his being named an Austin Scholar which prizes leadership and social justice.

Alison loved to entertain her family and friends. She loved Christmas and decorated her house as soon as she could with two trees and several creche sets that she added to each year. Additionally, she hosted an annual Boxwood Tree Decorating Party which was such a success that it grew in number every year, eventually exceeding 35 people. It was always a great night and guests left happily with their treasures.

Being aware of her cancer diagnosis, Alison practiced living life to the fullest and took advantage of every opportunity to meet with family and friends. She loved to try new restaurants and enjoyed having a cosmo with her friends. Each cosmo had to be light pink in order to pass her inspection. Alison also loved to travel. She visited Ireland, Europe, Mexico, and many other places. She particularly loved visiting Cape Cod each summer.

She will be dearly missed by many people, but her joyful spirit will live in our hearts.

In addition to her beloved son, Alison is survived by her parents and many other relatives and friends.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023, from 4 – 7 pm at the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 8, at 11 am, at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Rd., CHELMSFORD. KINDLY GATHER AT CHURCH. Interment to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, TEWKSBURY. A Go Fund Me has been established on behalf of her only child, Jake Hayes, in order to help defray many current and future expenses, including, but not limited to, college tuition. https://gofund.me/782b15e9. Funeral Directors Paul A. Hardy, Jr. and Jennifer Lebaropoulos Hardy. For directions and online condolences please visit CHELMSFORDFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.



View the online memorial for Alison Kealy Hayes