A devoted mother who loved cooking, traveling and hosting gatherings
NORTH READING — Susan Jeanne Kelly, 61, of North Reading, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Born in Lowell, she was the daughter of the late George and Jeanne (Guson) O’Brien.
Susan graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1981 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from Worcester State University. After graduating college, she began her nearly 40-year career in Nuclear Medicine, working in various roles, most recently as the Chief Nuclear Medicine Technologist at New England PET Imaging.
In her younger years, Susan was a member of the St. John’s Colonial Girls Fife and Drum Corps. She was proud of her Lebanese and Irish heritage, always cooking traditional dishes. She enjoyed golfing, attending concerts, the theater, traveling, and her famous pool and frozen drink machine. “Big Sue” loved any excuse to host gatherings for family and friends. Above all, she loved being a mother and was unconditionally supportive and devoted to her children.
Susan is survived by her daughter, Deirdre Kelly of North Reading, and her son, Sean Kelly of North Reading. She also leaves her brothers and their spouses: George and Robin O’Brien of Litchfield, N.H.; Michael and Maria O’Brien of Litchfield, N.H.; and Kevin and Sue Ellen O’Brien of Merrimack, N.H.; and her sisters and their spouses: Kathleen and Robert Dyer of Litchfield, N.H.; Mary Beth and Michael O’Keefe of Tyngsborough; and Patricia and Kenneth Goodwin of North Chelmsford. She will be greatly missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, as well as her beloved dog, Max, and her grand-cat, JoJo.
Visitation hours for Susan will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2024 from 4 p.m.–7 p.m. at the Dolan Funeral Home, 106 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford, MA 01863. Her funeral will be held on Friday, January 3, 2024 10 a.m. at the Dolan Funeral Home followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 115 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford, MA 01863. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, North Chelmsford.
