Ann Meyers Kelleher

Ann M. (Rosenberg) Kelleher was born on May 8, 1930, to Rose Meyers and Edward Rosenberg. She had an older sister, Ruth Elsa, who was three years her senior.

Ann was raised during the Great Depression in Brookline, Massachusetts, and attended Brookline High School. Her summers were spent in Hull, Massachusetts, where her family shared a seaside house near the Coast Guard Station.

During World War II, New England farmers sought extra help, and Ann briefly answered the call. After only a month of work, however, she confirmed what she already suspected—she was, at heart, a city girl.

In 1948, Ann attended Winthrop University, an all-women’s college in South Carolina. She later continued her education at Boston’s Burdett Business School, where she met Bernard “Bernie” Kelleher. Although Ann’s mother was not pleased that her boyfriend was Catholic, Ann knew her own heart. At age 22, Ann and Bernie eloped, marrying before a Justice of the Peace in Yonkers, New York. They traveled to Panama by ocean liner, arriving on July 11, 1952.

Ann settled in the Canal Zone, where Bernie joined the Police Force and Ann began a distinguished career as a personal assistant to the Army Commander at the Tropic Test Center. Reporting to a new command every three years, she consistently earned accolades for her professionalism, warmth, and dedication. One commander, Major General John Koehler once wrote to her:

“I now consider myself a lifetime member of the Ann Kelleher fan club. You have, through your personality and every helping hand, established a reputation that could well be emulated by all… as you are concerned with the happiness and betterment of your fellow man. We need more like you, Ann—the world would be a better place.”

Upon retirement, Bernie and Ann returned to Brookline, Massachusetts. Bernie settled in as a “day trader,” and Ann once remarked that he loved her, their poodle Charlie, and the stock market—though not necessarily in that order. While Ann enjoyed retirement, she missed the social connections her work had provided. She returned to work as personal assistant to the Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Boston, where she continued to build lasting friendships. She retired from this second career after 16 years.

In 1990, Ann and Bernie moved to Hull, Massachusetts, where Ann had spent her childhood summers. Following Bernie’s death in 2002, Ann’s sister Ruth joined her, and they lived together until Ruth’s passing in 2012.

Ann will be remembered for her keen wit and engaging sense of humor, traits that brought joy and connection to those around her. Along with her kindness and deep caring for others, these qualities defined her life. Those who knew her were better for it, and her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.

A memorial service to honor Ann’s life will be held at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street Brookline, on Friday, January 16th, 2026 at 11:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Ann’s memory may be made to Paragon Carousel at www.paragoncarousel.com/donate or to the Hull Fire Department where checks can be mailed to Hull Fire Department, A St. 671 Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA 02045. Please make checks out to Local 1657 Hull Fire Union with notation on check – In memory of Ann Kelleher, resident of Hull, MA.