Kerri L. MacLellan

Kerri 'The Dancing Queen' MacLellan was granted her angel wings on March 8th 2021. Her final hours were spent surrounded by loving family members, listening to her favorite tunes from One Direction, as well as Scotch music from Cape Breton fiddlers and well-loved spiritual songs. Love of dancing and music was a hallmark of Kerri's 48 years. Anyone who knew Kerri knew that she was never one to sit out a good tune.

Born on March 25, 1972 in West Newton she was a daughter of Mary "Maisie" A.(MacIntyre) MacLellan and the late Donald L. MacLellan. She attended and graduated from the Newton Public Schools.

In addition to her mother, Maisie, she leaves her siblings, Benita Bordieri (Robert) of Houston, Texas, Debra MacLellan Koltun (Walter) of Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth MacLellan of Hopedale, Leonard G. MacLellan (Sarah) of West Newton, John F. MacLellan (Susan) of Medford, and her beloved twin sister, Katy P. Anderson (Steven) of Bellingham; also survived by several nieces and nephews including Robert Bordieri of Houston, Texas, Scott Bordieri (Christina) of Mesa, Arizona, Catherine Houser (Thomas) of Dallas, Texas, Alex Koltun of West Newton, Donald, Michael and John Angus MacLellan of West Newton, Natalya and Kayleigh MacLellan of Medford, and Isabella and Charlotte Anderson of Bellingham.

Kerri never met a stranger. Known for her quick and easy smile, everyone was drawn to her. She was beloved by family as well as all of her housemates and staff at Webster and Juniper House as well as her good friends at the Price Center. Famous for her ability to get everyone on the dance floor, there was never a dull moment when Kerri was around. Dance parties and turning Webster's main hall into an impromptu bowling alley were frequent fun-filled occurrences for Kerri at Webster.

Kerri lived to please and demonstrate love to others. One of the many ways she showed this love was through her passion for baking. None of us will ever forget her great pride at every family event where she would always show up with a freshly baked batch of her specialty – brownies! That was "her thing" and we will never forget how she always glowed with pride when presenting her special treat to her happy recipients – all of us! (Of course, we all also know that Kerri herself had a lifelong love affair with sweets, so it is a pretty safe bet that she also managed to indulge in a few of these special goodies herself!).

Kerri also loved her work as the first Special Needs hire of the American Girl store in the Natick Collection and was especially thrilled and extremely proud when family members came to visit her at work. Her pride in a job well done was always evident on her beaming, smiling face.

She was also a lifelong proud member of the Special Olympics team where she won many medals for her exemplary swimming and bowling. These medals were always hung in a place of honor as a joyful reminder of those glory years of gold medaling. She was also an avid sports fan and especially loved the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

Most of all, Kerri was known as a fierce prayer warrior. Her spiritual community at Corpus Christi/St. Bernard's Church, the Espousal Prayer Community, Father Tom DeLorenzo's Ministry and Father Edward McDonough's Healing Ministry were all extremely important to her. Whenever Kerri encountered tragedy, strife or stress in her life, her first response was always the same: prayer. Accordingly, whenever anyone in the family needed a spiritual helping hand, it was Kerri they turned to for prayers. She always had a special connection with God and now He has deemed her spiritual work here on earth done. He has called her home to rest and be with Him forevermore - her just and well-deserved reward for a job well done!

Family and friends will honor and remember Kerri's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, March 15th from 4 to 7 p.m.

Kerri's Funeral Mass and burial will be private.

Those wishing to view Kerri's Mass may do so via this link on Tuesday at 10 a.m: https://my.gather.app/remember/kerri-maclellan

Memorials in her name may be made to Corpus Christi | Saint Bernard Church, 1523 Washington Street, West Newton or Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752.
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A note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love and support, give them a virtual hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance.

Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.