by Brian Kelliher (son)

"We are here to celebrate my Mom's life, and to give thanks to the contributions she made to our lives - the many things she did to help our family and her many friends.

We all have fond stories to share about my Mom - Susie.

My Mom was born and raised in Sterling, Illinois in a family of 5 sisters and 1 brother (poor guy).

Her Parents, my Grandparents, instilled in her the values that she passed on to us.

Mom and Dad wanted Tim, Kevin and me to know our grandparents and they would take us on regular visits to Sterling. At a young age, we learned the importance and the fun, of being with family. We have many great memories of those trips.

As we all know, my Mom had a giant heart - the most generous person in the room. Family and friends always came first, and she was always there to help in a moment of need.

Susie, our Mom, was everything to us growing up.

She watched after our Dad, she was our Den Mother, she was our PTA Mother, and she was our Baseball, Basketball, and Soccer cheerleader. She never missed a game, and she could swear at the umpires with the best of them.

Later in life, she became "Susie the School Bus Driver". She enjoyed being with children. She would buy gifts for kids on her bus and formed relationships with both the kids and their parents. She told me she wished she could afford to retire so she could volunteer to help handicapped children - kids that needed her most.

Best of all, Mom loved being "Susie the Grandmother". Morgan, Matthew and Christopher meant everything to her. She loved to spoil them. She will always be their Guardian Angel.

We will leave it up to Morgan to tell the future grandkids all the special stories about Grandma Susie.

Mom would find a way to attend all of Morgan's school functions and, recently, she loved attending Morgan's Irish Dancing. Mom would always push her way to the front of the audience for a close-up view and to take pictures. We felt sorry for the poor people that got knocked in the head with that big purse. Everyone knows what I'm talking about. Everything she owned was in that purse, including phone bills from the 1970's.

Mom was also a "party animal". She was the last one to leave a party. Just ask Jose about his party last New Year's Eve. Mom never wanted to miss a story; she never wanted to miss an opportunity to hangout with our friends.

Thank you Mom for being tough on us and putting us in check when we needed it. You always kept us on track and out of trouble. We are proud to call you our Mother.

My Aunt Jane gave my Mom the "Mother of the Year Award" last year. Aunt Jane, you made her blush, but I also know, you touched her heart.

I want to say thanks, on behalf of the Kelliher boys, to all the family and friends that helped Mom throughout her life.

Thanks to her sisters - Jane, Gwenie, Barb and Rosemary and her brother - Jimmy for always looking out for her and responding in times of need.

Thanks to my Dad for giving her three Irish sons and a family she was proud of. For taking us on those memorable vacations that we still talk and laugh about.

Thanks to Uncle Mark for taking care of her car and her computers and for going out of your way for her.

Thanks to the Owcarz family for always including our Mom in every special event, especially after my Father passed away.

Thanks to Laurie, Husai and Kristy for being the daughters she always wanted, and for treating her so special.

Thanks to Eric, Jimmy, Dennis, Jose, Ace, Spanky, Kevin Valentine and our many friends for being her "other sons". She was always proud of you guys and always enjoyed spending time with you.

Well, Mom, I hope I covered most of it. I know you always said you would be late to your own funeral. But it came way to early for all of us. You will always be in our hearts and minds.

Say hello to Dad and the rest of the family. Try to get some rest until we get up there, to spend time with you again.

I promise you - our family will always stay close, and look out for each other.

God Bless the most special person I have ever known, and may she rest in peace."

Source:  delivered at the funeral mass for Susan Kelliher on August 10, 2005 by her son - Brian Kelliher.  Susie passed away on August 5, 2005 at the age of 64 in her home in Downers Grove, Illinois.  She had three sons and three grandchildren.

Guestbook Postings to the Online Obituary - Susan Kelliher

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 10, 2005
Dear Tim, Brian & Kevin,
I have seen you boys grow up to be great examples of your parents' love. We are blessed to have known your parents for a very long time. You became our family, sharing in all our family gatherings. Sue did so much to help others, including me and my family. She touched our lives and she'll be greatly missed. Jim and I will always be here for you boys, your like our other children. We'll never take the place of your parents but will be here for anything you need. You now have two angels watching over you and protecting you as you live your lives with your families. We love you deeply. May God Bless all of you. Love Jim and Sue Kane & family
Susan Kane (Cicero, IL )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 10, 2005
Sue was a very sweet and loving person. Although we only knew her for a little over year, as our neighbor, we knew what a wonderful person she was. She always talked about her children and grandchildren (especially) and it was always very obvious how much she loved them all. We were very sad to hear the news of her passing, she touched many lives and will certainly be missed. Our deepest heart-felt prayers go out to her entire family. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask.
The Drechsler Family (Downers Grove, IL )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 9, 2005
Timmy, Brian and Kevin.I am so sorry at the loss of your mom. You are all in my prayers. She will be missed. God bless. Love steve
Stephen Reyes (Chicago, IL )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 9, 2005
Tim, Brian, Kevin,
On behalf of myself and my Family, please accept our deepest and heart felt sympathy. I have known you and your parents for a long time, when i heard the news about your moms passing i felt both shock and sadness. My heart goes out to all of you in this trying time. You all are in our prayers. Lean on each other for strength and support. May God bless you all in this time of need and May he grant your Mom eternal Peace. The Reyes family-Pat, Kelly, Samantha and MacKenzie
Patrick Reyes (Plainfield, IL )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 9, 2005
Tim, Brian and Kevin,
The three of you were your moms pride and joy. I met Sue when I was 14 (30 yrs ago). She became a special person in my life and I will miss her deeply. I didn't need to keep big contact with you guys, she loved talking about all you were doing. Each of you were so special to her. Timmy she was overjoyed to be a grandma and so proud of what a great job you were doing with the kids. We lost a special angel.  I'll never forget my friend.  I feel so blessed to have known her for so many years.  I love you boys, keep making her proud and take care of each other. Pam
Pam Butusov (Brookfield, IL )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 8, 2005
Now you, Rosemary, and Rosalie can drive the kids to school in heaven!

May the road rise up to meet you, the wind be always at your back, the sunshine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields-and-untill we meet again-may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

 We'll miss you Sue!

Karen & Dawn Massengill / Rose (Lemont, IL )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 8, 2005
I WORKED WITH SUE FOR A LONG TIME,  BEFORE SHE WENT TO OUR WESTMONT BRANCH, SHE IS SOMEONE THAT WILL BE MISSED,  SHE WAS SOMEONE THAT YOU COULD COUNT ON TO LEND A HELPING HAND, AND IF SHE COULD SHE WOULD FIND A WAY TO HELP OUT.  I WOULD LIKE TO SEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY,  AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND SUE.  SHARON
Sharon Hartley (Justice, IL )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 8, 2005
Sue was such a nice, sweet person. I rode in her bus and everyone liked her so much. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. She will be missed.
Sandy Johnson (Lisle, IL )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Web site by Mark Gallagher, send feedback to mark@gallagher.com

gallagher.com < - - - return