Sarah W. Kiely Obituary
Sarah Kiely carried the absence of her beloved husband, Jeremiah, with grace — and that same grace defined her 87 years. Known to all as Sally, she passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026, after a lengthy illness, tenderly supported to the end by her family and friends.
Sally was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, the daughter of Thomas D. Walsh, a native of Cork City, Ireland, and Alice (Mullen) Walsh, who came from Ballyconneely, Ireland. She grew up in Winchester, where she attended St. Mary's School and Winchester High School. After high school, Sally pursued coursework at Tufts University and later earned a Master of Education degree from Cambridge College.
Sally devoted 36 years of her professional life to Tufts University, beginning in an entry-level role in the Crane Theological School and rising through the ranks to become assistant secretary of the Board of Trustees of Tufts University — serving under four presidents of the university and four board chairs.
In her later years at Tufts, she created, developed, and implemented a system that electronically collected and transmitted information to the Trustees, the university's governing board. Sally's innovation was recognized by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and Sally was invited to present her system to governing boards across the country, including in Boston, Cleveland, Nashville, and San Francisco.
Among Sally's proudest achievements was spearheading an endowed scholarship in memory of her dear friend and colleague in the Trustees Office, Andrea Caponigro Berthel, who died of cancer. The Andrea Caponigro Berthel Scholarship became the first in Tufts' history to be named in honor of a staff member.
Sally held dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland, a source of deep pride. Her social life revolved around the Knights and Ladies of St. Finbarr Association, a Cork, Ireland fraternal club. She served tirelessly as Club Secretary and the club's Woman of the Year in 1993. She also played a key role in creating the Father Dan Finn Award, which honors those who are actively involved in serving the immigrants of Greater Boston.
Sally's leisure was full of life. She and Jerry shared decades of Irish dances and banquets, travel to national parks, and cruises to ports across the globe. Closer to home, she loved swimming, boating, cookouts, and ball games.
Sally and Jerry were married in Goddard Chapel at Tufts University, and 25 years later renewed their vows in the very same chapel. University friends placed a wedding candle in the chapel, a gift for all future Catholic weddings celebrated there.
As Sally and Jerry neared retirement, Jerry and her nephew Rob Walsh — both master carpenters — built their dream home in Gloucester, MA, right next door to her older brother Bob and his wife Rita. The neighboring properties became a beloved gathering place for family and friends across countless happy years.
Sally is survived by her dear sister, Mary Walsh of Stoneham, MA; her sister-in-law, Noreen Kiely of Tewksbury, MA; and more than twenty nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Jerry Kiely; her brothers, Bob Walsh, and Tom Walsh; and her sister, Alice Cullen.
Services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Sally's memory to Adaptive Sports New England, a nonprofit founded by her nephew that is dedicated to increasing participation in sports among youth and adults with visual or mobility impairments: Adaptive Sports New England, 89 South Street, Suite 603, Boston, MA 02111,http://www.adaptivesportsne.org.
