08/23/2026
Eleanor Kathryn Kelleher
In Loving Memory ofEleanor Kathryn KelleherFebruary 25, 1939 - August 21, 2026
Eleanor Kathryn (Manning) Kelleher, 87, a longtime resident of Taunton, Massachusetts, who spent the last several years of her life in Maryland, passed away on August 21, 2026, in Frederick, Maryland.
Born to Russell Vincent Manning and Mary Agnes (Dwyer) Manning, Eleanor was raised in Taunton and graduated from Taunton High School in 1957. She went on to attend the Children's Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, Massachusetts, where she prepared for what would become a lifelong calling of caring for others.
Eleanor became a registered nurse and spent several decades at Morton Hospital in Taunton, working in maternity and the nursery. Her career was especially fitting for a woman whose life was defined by compassion and caring. Whether she was tending to newborns and their mothers, looking after family and friends, or simply noticing when someone needed a little extra kindness, caring for others came naturally to Eleanor.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, James Kelleher, in 2024. Eleanor and Jim shared 63 years of marriage filled with mutual interests, wonderful friends, and travels throughout the United States and to places including Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and Paris. Most of all, they enjoyed the everyday pleasures of being together and their close connections with family and friends.
She was also predeceased by her beloved sister, Mary Joan (Manning) Driscoll, in 2018, and her dear longtime friend, Patty Lawson, in 2023.
Eleanor is survived by her children, John Kelleher of Powell, Wyoming, and Laura Kelleher of Frederick, Maryland; and her grandchildren, Adeline Neal, Trevor Neal, and Patrick Neal, all of Maryland. She is also survived by her siblings, Patricia (Manning) Phillipe, Thomas Manning, Bucky Manning, Kevin Manning, and Susan Manning, as well as many extended family members and dear friends.
Above all, Eleanor will be remembered for the extraordinary love and care she gave so freely to others. She was intelligent, witty, and pragmatic, and she was always looking out for the people she loved. She had a remarkable ability to make and keep friends throughout her life and continued making new friends wherever she went. People were naturally drawn to her warmth, kindness, sweetness, and genuine interest in them.
Eleanor's family was at the center of her life, and the love she gave them was immeasurable. She was the person who cared, who remembered, who jumped in and helped, and who was always there. Her family and her many friends will miss her more than words can adequately express, but the kindness and love she gave throughout her 87 years will live on in all those fortunate enough to have known her.
A graveside service celebrating Eleanor's life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Eleanor’s memory may make a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Care Entrusted to Thibadeau Mortuary124 E. Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-5009301-495-4950www.InterFaithFunerals.com
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