Kelley Anne Spear

Kelley Anne Spear, 64, of Norwell, MA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth, MA, after a period of illness. 

Kelley was born in Syracuse on September 18, 1960, and spent her early childhood in Altmar before moving to Syracuse at age six. She graduated from Corcoran High School in 1978 and earned her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University at Buffalo in 1982. In 1986, Kelley moved to Boston, MA, where she specialized in hand rehabilitation. She loved life on the East Coast, especially the ocean views and beach walks, and settled in Norwell, MA, in 1991.

Kelley had a passion for reading—particularly fiction about complex lives and families—and enjoyed bird watching, with woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and finches among her favorites. She was a devoted fan of Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, The Smiths, and R.E.M. and had a talent for making wry jokes, her unforgettable chortle always spreading laughter. More than anything, Kelley cherished supporting her daughters' endeavors and took immense pride in their accomplishments, as well as those of her extended family. Family time was deeply important to her, and she especially treasured summer vacations spent with her parents, sister, and daughters.

Kelley also found fulfillment in volunteering, whether at her church or the Scituate Animal Shelter, where she helped socialize feral cats and kittens. Over the years, she loved and cared for many pets, including Flexie, Princess, Gizzy, and Mika.

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.

Surviving are her daughters, Hannah J. and Rebecca A. Carrillo of Norwell, Massachusetts, and Rachel A. Carrillo of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; parents, Robert and Marjorie (Tillapaugh) Spear of Syracuse and Brenda (Howard) Bartlestone, of Thompson Ridge; sister, Amanda Tillapaugh-Spear of Solvay; brother-in-law, Sean Grimes of Solvay; future son-in-law, Ben Morin of New Braintree, MA; dear friends, Jeannie Popp, Gwen Tillapaugh-Fay, and Sandra Brooks; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

There will be a celebration of Kelley’s life at a later date. 

Contributions in Kelley’s honor may be made to the CNY Cat Coalition, Inc., P.O. Box 6182, Syracuse, NY 13217.