Florence B. Kelleher

Florence B. (Darling) Kelleher, 87, died quietly at the Tippett Hospice Home in Needham on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 after a period of failing health. She was born and educated in Stoughton, MA graduating from Stoughton High School in 1946. In 1951, Florence traveled across the country by train to marry her high school sweetheart, James Kelleher, who was stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. They were married for 66 years and together they raised nine children. In 1963 the Kellehers moved from Stoughton to Franklin and lived in the same house on Maple Street for 54 years. As a young woman, Mrs. Kelleher was a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone, then years later for Emerys Answering Service and Benjamin Franklin Savings Bank. She retired in 1993. Mrs. Kelleher was an avid reader and loved a good joke. She would be the first to admit that quantity often trumped quality in her kitchen, but she did make a fine apple pie and the best whipped potatoes in the entire world. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kelleher is survived by her nine children, Catherine Brock, Jane Miceli, Mary Kelleher, Elaine Monahan, Paula Fahey, James M. Kelleher, Francis Kelleher, Margaret Maietta, and Joanne Lessard. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Kelleher was preceded in death by her two brothers, Norman and Ronald Darling. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Saturday June 17th, at 9:15AM from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary Parish, 1 Church Sq. Franklin at 10AM. Interment will be held privately at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Stoughton. Calling hours are Friday from 4-8PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to the Stanley R. Tippett Hospice Home 920 South St. Needham, MA 02492. Guestbook/directions www.oterifuneralhome.com.