Sarah M. "Sally" Kerr

Waltham—Mrs. Sarah M. "Sally" Kerr, of Waltham, died in her home on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. She was 92.

Sally was born in Carrowkeel, Hollymount, Co. Mayo, Ireland on September 4, 1928 to the late John and Sarah (Slattery) Mellett. Raised in Ireland, she immigrated to the United States when she was 19 years old, initially settling in West Roxbury. There she met Boston native John Kerr, a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. The two were married in Saint Theresa's Church in West Roxbury on September 7, 1957 and the pair moved to Waltham where they made their lifelong home.

John and Sally quickly became staples in the community; they played key roles in the fund raising efforts to build and establish Saint Jude School, a fixture on Main Street adjacent to the parish that would go on to serve countless families and children. Sally was also active in the Ladies Sodality, and the parish's 'Couple's Club.'

While Sally was always a friendly and kind familiar face to many friends and neighbors, her true calling and talent was being a mother. She loved being involved in her children's lives, serving as a 'lunch mother,' a Girl Scout troop leader, and much more. Many happy memories were made exploring throughout the country, traveling 'back home' to Ireland, and spending sunshine-filled days at Cold Storage Beach in East Dennis. In their later years John and Sally enjoyed escaping the New England cold in Florida.

Sally is reunited with her husband, John, who died on April 10, 2013, their son, Richard S. Kerr, and her sisters, the late Philomena Moran, Delia Kirrane, Teresa McMahon, Sr. Josephine Mellett, and Mary Moran.

She leaves her children, John J. Kerr, Jr. (Elaine) of Chelmsford, and Marie T. Mastaj (Joseph) of Milford; her grandchildren, Ashley (Joshua Kazlauskas), Brianne, and Erin Mastaj, and Evan and Brandon Kerr; her siblings, Patrick Mellett of Carrowkeel, Hollymount, Co. Mayo, Ireland, Michael Mellett (Eugenie) of Dublin, Ireland, and Monica Hynes of Birmingham, England. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and their families in America, Ireland, and England.

Family and friends will honor and remember Sally's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, February 7th from 2 to 5 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday morning in Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury.

Those wishing to view Sally's Funeral Mass may do so by clicking on the following link on Monday, February 8th at 11 a.m.: https://my.gather.app/remember/sarah-sally-kerr

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Jude Parish, 147 Main Street, Waltham, Massachusetts, 02453, or to Catholic Television, P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, Massachusetts, 02471.
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Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – 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, support and a verbal 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 to the venue where they are held 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.