Stephanie Kelly

Stephanie G. Kelly, 65, of Monument Beach, passed away peacefully at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Center in Boston in the early hours of March 23, 2026. She was the loving daughter of Judith M. Fagan and the late William Eugene Garner, and the very proud mother of Sylvia Kelly.

Born in Richmond, VA on October 30, 1960, Stephanie enjoyed her time in the South but always said that she found "her people" on Cape Cod. She moved to the Cape in 1991 to raise her daughter, and to ultimately live with and then care for her mom at their home in Monument Beach. Her decision to move to the Cape overjoyed her family, and set her on a pathway that will forever positively impact the lives of countless friends, colleagues, and community members across the Cape and Massachusetts.

Stephanie received her Associate's Degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1982 and her Bachelor's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in 1998. She began her career in human services as the Director of Family Support for The Arc of Greater Plymouth where she provided assistance to families and caregivers of people with disabilities. She continued to make a lasting difference as the Assistant Director of BAMSI where she managed residential and individual living services for adults with developmental disabilities.

In March 2011, Stephanie was named the Executive Director of The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands. Her unique gifts shone most brightly as she led the agency for the next 15 years – through a tremendous expansion in operations and innovative program development – with great dedication until her passing. During her tenure, she wore every hat: leader, volunteer, trainer, mentor, fundraiser, advocate, and friend.

Stephanie thought deeply about decisions which impacted the crisis line callers, volunteers, and staff; and she always hoped to do right by everyone. She often said that grant writing was her happy place, and her proposals for highly competitive grants were routinely awarded. She oversaw the installment of new signs at the Bourne and Sagamore bridges; trained volunteers to answer the call lines; implemented a Caring Connection program to provide one-to-one support to suicide attempt survivors immediately after a hospital discharge; oversaw the expansion of the Care Packages program and other grief support services; and guided the agency during the uncertain times of the pandemic with her beloved dog Wally at her feet. Stephanie secured partnerships on federal grants with State agencies, and procured State funding to sustain suicide prevention efforts in the region. She shepherded the Samaritans during its accreditation as a crisis line center, and most notably led the agency to become part of the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network.

Stephanie's charm was infectious and genuine, and she had a beautiful way of making every gathering – whether it was the annual summer potluck for the volunteers or the 45th anniversary of the agency – feel warm and inviting. She had an amazing talent for creating intricate gift baskets for the bocce festival raffles, and was an accomplished racecar driver (usually on the path, but not always) of golf carts at the golf tournaments. As a lifelong baseball fan (go Sox!) – and someone who effortlessly made the workday fun – she partnered with the Cape Cod Baseball League to promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness at games. No matter the challenge, Stephanie had the ability to find light in any moment and her kindness and cheerful spirit brought a welcome sense of joy to each day. Her warmth, encouragement, and gentle guidance touched countless lives from callers to community members. Her mentorship, vision, and collaboration inspired a generation of volunteers and professionals in suicide prevention and mental health advocacy.

Beyond her role as Executive Director, Stephanie was the 744th volunteer trained by the Samaritans to answer the suicide crisis hotlines. (In 2020, Stephanie would see the 1,000th volunteer trained.) She volunteered for many years on the hotlines, including the overnight shift, providing care and compassion for those who needed it most. She also adored her time as a Senior Outreach volunteer, and often said that calling "her little ole' seniors" was her favorite part of the day.

In 2016, Stephanie was named an Unsung Heroine of Massachusetts by the Commission on the Status of Women and honored at the State House. In 2018, she was appointed to the Governor's Special Commission to Study the Prevention of Suicide Among Correction Officers in Massachusetts. As a leader in suicide prevention, she served on the Steering Committee of the Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention. A well-respected presenter and trainer at local, state, and national conferences, Stephanie usually opted to not speak from behind a podium; instead she would pull up a chair to sit at the table alongside attendees. In this way, she had a gift for making conversations around suicide prevention approachable and comfortable. She was interviewed throughout her career by numerous news outlets including the Cape Cod Times, The Boston Globe, and NPR.

In addition to her professional career, Stephanie was extremely active in fundraising for many non-profits on the Cape. She volunteered regularly, including placing flags at veterans' gravesites at the National Cemetery in Bourne. Stephanie believed that one person's voice could make a beautiful difference, and she actively engaged her local and state representatives to use their voices to do the same. And as someone with an insatiable love of reading and learning, she proudly served on the Board of Trustees of the Jonathan Bourne Public Library for 12 years and was recognized for her dedication in 2020.

Stephanie lived her life to the fullest, and every day was filled to the brim – often by taking care of the people she loved. And if you were in Stephanie's orbit, you were one of the people she loved. She always made time for everyone, and she never met someone who didn't become a friend. Five minute trips to Cumberland Farms for her favorite iced coffee would turn into 20 minute conversations with her friends in the store. She was playful and silly, quick-witted and bubbly, and she had a magical ability to make everyone feel like they were part of her family.

Every holiday, Stephanie would joyfully haul out that season's decorations and completely transform the inside and outside of her home. She was incredibly creative and loved crafting. During her trips to her favorite Swap Shop, or while hunting for deals in stores, Stephanie could always see the potential for something more. She saw possibilities in everything (and in everyone). And she would take great joy gifting you the most perfect little what-nots, something that she had seen that made her think of you and your family – because she was always thinking of you and your family. She remembered birthdays, and anniversaries, and harder days too. She celebrated everything with gusto – even those littlest moments; sometimes especially those littlest moments. And she always celebrated you. And we will all miss her more than words can say.

Most of all, Stephanie loved spending time with her family. She was a good mama bear to her daughter. She was a loving caregiver to her mom. And she advocated for both of them every step of the way. She and Sylvia enjoyed attending concerts and going on cruises together. She and her mom enjoyed their overnight adventures at casinos. But being comfy at home in their pajamas, watching their crime TV shows, laughing at silly memes, cheering on the Red Sox – these are the moments of happiness that Stephanie treasured most deeply. And her family deeply treasured her.

Stephanie is survived by her mother Judith (whom she affectionately called Dame Judy) and her beautiful daughter Sylvia (whom she loved to the moon and back) and her son-in-law Beau Jones. She is also survived by her two step-brothers John Fagan and wife Christine of Virginia Beach, VA and James Fagan of Miami, FL; her step-sister Anne Fagan of St. Louis, MO; her nephews Kenneth Rouff, Jr. of Pocasset, MA and Zachary Smalley of Maine; her close cousins Helen-Ann Blankenship of Monument Beach, MA with her partner David Thomashey and her son David Damon D'Aquila of Walpole, MA and Sylvia Scarborough and her husband Johnny Sr. of Florence, MA; as well as numerous extended family across the country all of whom loved her dearly. She was predeceased by her father William Eugene Garner, her step-father Richard Fagan, and in 2013 by her beloved sister Michele Rouff (and the two of them are undoubtedly enjoying getting into good trouble together again).

Visitation with the family will take place on Saturday, April 4th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Chapman Funerals and Cremations in West Falmouth (584 West Falmouth Highway/Route 28A). The Funeral Service for Stephanie will begin at 3:00 p.m. The burial is private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands or the Epilepsy Foundation in Stephanie's honor. They also want you to know that Stephanie would hope you will celebrate those smallest and silliest moments of each day, and ask that you keep spreading kindness in the world with all of your heart.