Mae Keleher

Mae Josephine Kelly Keleher
b. August 17, 1890 d. January 29, 1923
( Des Moines, Iowa) (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

Obituary- Albuquerque Journal-Tuesday January 30, 1923
Popular young matron, wife of prominent attorney succumbs to brief pneumonia attack after 3 days at 9:40 AM at 111 South 14th Street
Born/reared Des Moines, Iowa- daughter of Mr./Mrs. George Kelly (4105 Woodland Avenue Des Moines) and would have been 33 on next August 17. born August 17,1890
Educated in parochial schools and West High school (although the engagement notice says North High School) -Des Moines; college –Drake University ( major kindergarten teaching) ( she must have graduated around1913-1914)
Taught for several years in Des Moines city school at Greenwood school
Resigned in 1917 to come to Albuquerque with her mother (who I believe was ill and died shortly thereafter.)
In Albuquerque- she taught at Central School
Engagement Announcement Des Moines newspaper
Engagement party held in Des Moines hosted by Mrs. Joseph R. Healy (Aunt Win) and Miss Georgia Kelly (Mae’s two sisters).” The announcement was made through the medium of the place cards which were miniature men and girls, bearing the names of Miss Kelly and Mr. Keleher and the wedding date of June 26, 1918.. Fifteen guests shared the announcement party.”
Prenuptial Parties– two articles in scrapbook (newspaper articles)
“Mrs. William Clapper was hostess Saturday, June 19, 1918 ( not sure of date) to a group of eight intimate friends of Miss Mae Kelly whose marriage takes place Wednesday, June 23. The afternoon’s diversion was bridge.”
“This evening (Sat. June 19,1918) Miss Nellie Donahoe and her brother, Raymond Donahoe will entertain the members of the bridal party at dinner at the Hyperion. The bridegroom William Keleher arrived this morning from Albuquerque, NM. “
Marriage (article from Des Moines newspaper-saved in scrapbook)
Married to WA Keleher in Des Moines June 23, 1918- 8:00 Mass at St. Ambrose Cathedral. The ceremony was performed by R. Rev. Msgr. Flavin. E.M. Flaherty of Fort Dodge served as the groomsman. Miss Georgia Kelly was the bride’s attendant. The bride wore a gown of embroidered flesh- colored georgette arranged over satin of the same hue. Her leghorn hat with georgette crown was trimmed with purple pansies and her flowers were a corsage of sweetheart roses and valley lilies combined with orchids
Following high mass a wedding breakfast was served to the thirty relatives at the Kelly home 4105 Woodland Avenue. Crystal baskets of pink roses and smilax adorned tables.
Mr. and Mrs. Keleher are on an eastern trip and will visit Des Moines en route to Albuquerque N.M, where the groom is the city attorney.
Obituary- Albuquerque Journal- January 30, 1923
Mrs. Keleher was an active member of the Immaculate Conception parish. She was for the last four years a patroness of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority of UNM, and served as a member of the first committee of three which inaugurated Ladies Day at the Country Club.
…“Possessing a most pleasing personality, Mrs. Keleher made many warm friends in Albuquerque during her several years residence here. Stricken with pneumonia Friday, she made a brave and spirited fight…but was unable to throw it off. Last rites were administered by Fr/ Mandalari.
The body will be sent to Des Moines at 5:30 this evening for burial in Greenwood cemetery beside her mother who passed away several years ago. (probably late 1917 or early 1918) Services will be held in St. Ambrose Cathedral on Friday morning, February 2, 1923.
The body will be accompanied east by Mr. Keleher and by her sister MRS. Joseph Healy of Granger, Iowa, who arrived here several days ago for a visit with Mrs. Keleher., and by another sister, Mrs. George Smith Farr, who will arrive this morning from Pasadena, Calif.
( Georgia- Mrs. George Smith Farr has engagement announcement in scrapbook. IOt says that she is the daughter of Mr. George E. Kelly who lives at 1157 Nineteenth Street and is engaged to Mr. George Smith Farr son of Dr. and Mrs. W.M. Farr of Kenosha Wis. Their wedding took place on Tuesday morning at 8:00 at St. Ambrose Cathedral. (I can’t find a date.) It says that they will make their home in Albuquerque, NM.) (Curious)
Only eight weeks ago yesterday there was born to Mr. and Mrs. Keleher a baby daughter, Mary Ann. The little one will be left here in a hospital temporarily.
The body of Mrs. Keleher was taken to the home on South Fourteenth Street last evening and will remain there until 4 o’clock this afternoon when it will be moved to the Santa Fe station.”
There are only two photographs of Mae Keleher left in the World.
William & Mae Keleher : Wedding Day and: William & Mae Keleher
Research courtesy of Susan Rogers Schenkelberg

Tagged as: Keleher & McLeod, Mae Keleher, Mrs. William Keleher, Seven Generations in America, William & Mae Keleher, William Keleher