Susan Kelly

Susan Lyons Kelly, Arey’s Lane, South Orleans, died after a brief illness on October 12th at the McCarthy Care Center, Sandwich. “If you knew Susie like I knew Susie… oh what a gal” or words to that effect were the lyrics of a popular song from long, long ago (way before Susan was born!). And if you did know her you were fortunate for she was indeed quite a person and we, those closest to her, could certainly attest to that as fact. She was first and foremost totally dedicated to her family – first to her parents and sisters and then to her daughters and finally to the “Three Amigos”, her beloved grandsons. Professionally she was a skilled, dedicated and highly respected OBGYN delivery room nurse – she loved those mothers and set them on a course to love and care for their infants as much as if they were her own; her work was a life-long labor of love, a passion of which she never tired.

Susie was a woman of many sides – a talented and skilled seamstress; a disciplined and marvelous cook whose recipes and creations were immensely enjoyed by family and guests over the years, a friend to many - her smile and gracious manner could light up a room. More active as a younger woman she loved to dance, exercise, read and frolic in the ocean of her beloved Cape Cod. Nauset beach in Orleans was her playground – along with her best friend Jane and with their children in tow they spent many happy summer days on the outer beach. Susan was a capable if not vocal crew for husband Fran on their various sailboats and she enjoyed the annual Pleasant Bay Catboat event each August. The beach, oceans sounds, gentle breezes and the Atlantic Ocean were her elixir, a soothing presence over the years.

Born in Springfield Massachusetts she was one of five daughters (i.e., Margaret, Susan, Ann Marie, Patricia and Mary Lou) raised by her parents, William J. and Bernice (Flanagan) Lyons. She was a graduate of the Springfield Technical High School and later attended the Springfield Hospital School of Nursing where she earned her RN degree. She began her professional career at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass, later worked at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield Massachusetts but spent the majority of her forty-seven-year career at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, Mass where she worked in the Birthplace maternity unit. She also worked at the Pioneer Women’s Health Center. She dearly missed her friends and co-workers at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center Birthplace; she considered them her second family.

She is survived by her loving family: Husband, Fran, of 48 years, her daughter Kristen Licciardi and her husband Greg of Millburn, NJ and their three sons, her beloved grandsons – Gregory, Leonardo and Daniel; also by her daughter, Kathryn Kelly and partner Joy Ramsbotham of Warwick, RI. She is also survived by her two loving sisters, Margaret Jobbins of Springfield, Mass and Marilou Remillard of Eliot, Maine as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Ann Marie Mullen and Patricia Lyons and by daughter, Karen Marie Kelly.

Susan was a strong, courageous, inspirational woman who never complained about her plight and always looked on the positive side of life. She was a loving, kind and giving person… always ready to put other’s needs before her own. She was strong-willed and not afraid to tactfully express her opinion even when others might not see things her way – we might add, she was usually right as Susie was not given to shooting from the hip and was always concerned she not hurt or put someone down. Not bad qualities for sure, and those who knew her would concur that having known her was to have been with someone pretty special, someone who made the world a better place because of her words and, more importantly, her deeds. So, if you want to remember Susan do something good for someone… for that’s who she was and that’s what she would wish you to do, nothing more, just that. And if you happen upon an OBGYN nurse with a welcoming smile, a curly head of blonde hair blowing in the breeze say hello and think of Susie. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com .