Eileen Mary (Wall) Kealey

Eileen Mary (Wall) Kealey, 87, a life-long resident of Newburyport, Mass., the daughter of the late Michael and Ellen (Delaney) Wall, passed away peacefully surrounded by her devoted and loving family on June 13, 2017 at the Anna Jaques Hospital after a brief illness.

Eileen was born on December 11, 1929 on California Street in Newburyport.  She attended the Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Newburyport High School in 1947.  After graduation, she worked in the advertising department of Towle Silversmiths where she began collecting the "Old Master" flagship pattern which she would cherish and use on a daily basis throughout her lifetime.  She was a stylish woman who loved her hats and custom Mahri jewelry.

Eileen married Robert Augustine Kealey of Amesbury on August 8, 1954 at the Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Newburyport.   Shortly after their marriage, Robert and Eileen began to raise a family on Toppan’s Lane in Newburyport.

After raising four sons and three daughters, she became a Mary Kay Consultant in her fifties and still to this day is enrolled as a beauty consultant celebrating her 34th year with the international company.  Her hobbies and interests abounded throughout her life especially her love for animals.  For more than 10 years, she bred AKC German Shepherd puppies selling more than 100 shepherds throughout New England.  When her husband of 62 years was asked what his hobbies were, he would often reply, “paying for my wife’s hobbies.”

She loved traveling with her husband throughout the country and Canada staying in bed and breakfasts but especially enjoyed their summers on the lakes of Maine with their children.  For their 50th Wedding Anniversary, they traveled to Ireland to visit her mother’s homestead in County Cork, a trip of a lifetime.

Eileen was a devout Catholic her entire life and had a great love for the Virgin Mary, the Rosary, and also had a great love for the saints, especially St. Francis and Padre Pio.  Her favorite phrase was “Let go and Let God!”

Eileen is survived by her devoted husband, Robert, and her seven children, Michael and his wife Debbie of Salisbury; Kathleen of Sudbury; Brian and his wife Amy of Salisbury; Deborah and her husband Charles Papalia of North Andover; Richard of Newburyport; Christopher and his wife Pamela of Newburyport; and Deanna and her husband Jason Abram of Seabrook, NH and 11 grandchildren including Michael Kealey, Jr., and Adrianna Yingling; Chloe and Keenan Kealey; Regina Mary and John Paul Papalia; Sean, Jackson, Brendan, Charlotte Kealey; and Marissa Abram.  She also leaves behind two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Abigail Yingling.  She was also an aunt to Maureen Szymura and Jimmy Wall.  She will be greatly missed by her German Shepherd companions, Holley and Caesar.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday June 17, 2017 at the Immaculate Conception, 42 Green Street, Newburyport. Father William McLaughlin will be officiating. Private wake and burial services will be held for the immediate family only. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mrs. Kealey’s family with her funeral arrangements.

Memorial donations can be made in Eileen’s name to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 or online at www.guidingeyes.org

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