Kelley Anne Spear

Kelley Anne Spear, 64, passed away peacefully at South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth, MA, after a period of illness. She was surrounded by love, light, and her cherished daughters and sister. She is survived by her parents Robert and Marjorie (Tillapaugh) Spear of Syracuse, NY, and Brenda (Howard) Bartlestone, of Thompson Ridge, NY, her sister Amanda Tillapaugh-Spear of Solvay, NY, daughters Hannah J. and Rebecca A. Carrillo of Norwell, Massachusetts, and Rachel A. Carrillo of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, brother-in-law Sean Grimes of Solvay, NY, future son-in-law Ben Morin of New Braintree, MA, dear friends Jeannie Popp, Gwen Tillapaugh-Fay, Sandra Brooks, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Kelley was predeceased by her grandparents Esther (Allen) Spear, Norman Spear, Virgil and Viola (Britton) Howard, and Rev. Richard and Veda (Hook) Tillapaugh, uncles Ralph Flagler, Larry Jeffrey, John Spear, and Glen Lannon, aunts Elaine (Misita) Spear and Christine (Tillapaugh) Lannon, and cousin Vickie Spear.

Kelley was born in Syracuse, NY on September 18, 1960, and spent her early childhood in Altmar, NY, before moving to Syracuse at age six. She graduated from Corcoran High School in 1978 and attended University at Buffalo, graduating in 1982 with her Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy. Kelley worked for Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, NY, and Neuro Rehabilitation Associates in Rochester, NY. She then went on to specialize in hand rehabilitation after she moved to Boston, MA in 1986. She became head hand therapist at Brigham and Women’s in Boston before starting her own private practice in Brookline. Kelley also worked in home health, nursing homes, and schools, touching and transforming countless lives with her compassion, skill, and dedication. Kelley loved working and living on the East Coast, especially having easy access to ocean views and beach walks, and in the early 1990s, she settled in Norwell, MA.

In her free time, Kelley loved reading, particularly fiction about complicated lives and families, bird watching (woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and finches were her favorite), the music of Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, The Smiths, and R.E.M., and making wry jokes–her chortle was truly unmatched and instantly contagious! Supporting the endeavors of her accomplished daughters was a particular joy and she was endlessly proud of them, as well as her entire extended family. Family activities and bonding were a strong priority throughout her life and having her parents, sister, and daughters together for summer vacations was a beloved tradition. Kelley also enjoyed volunteering at her church, especially teaching Sunday school and serving as chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee. In recent years, Kelley was an active volunteer for the Scituate Animal Shelter, socializing many feral cats and kittens who all found homes with loving families. She loved many cats and dogs over the years, including Flexie, Princess, Gizzy, and Mika. Donations to your local animal shelter or favorite animal rescue would be a fantastic way to honor Kelley’s memory!

A memorial service will be held on January 4th, 2025 at Church Hill United Methodist Church in Norwell, MA. A live stream will be available at https://www.youtube.com/live/FqUVAT1SLkM. Services start at 11:00 am and will be followed by a lunch. There will be a celebration of Kelley’s life this summer in her hometown of Syracuse, NY. Donations in Kelley’s honor may also be made to CurePSP. Her family wishes to thank Old Colony Hospice, especially nurses Maureen and Alyssa, South Shore Meals on Wheels, and the entire care staff at South Shore Hospital, especially the folks on the 6th floor who offered not only exceptional care for her but for her family as well, freely dispensing words of comfort and hugs.