Kelly A. Shea-Gallagher

Kelly A. Shea-Gallagher, 52, of Southington, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 13, 2023 at the HOCC in New Britain after a courageous 18-year battle with cancer. Kelly was the beloved wife, best friend and soul mate of Scott Gallagher for over 28 years. 

Kelly was born on February 11, 1970 in Boston, MA to John and Ginny (Kearns) Shea. She attended Central Connecticut College and earned her Masters Degree in Education at UConn. She also earned her Master Gardeners degree in support of her passion for her beautiful gardens. Kelly loved her work as an elementary school teacher in Southington, Newtown and W. Hartford and was often rewarded by sweet notes from the children and their parents. She most enjoyed music and loved her vacations in Maine and the Cape. She was always planning her next meal and next vacation. She had an indomitable spirit which could not be subdued by the many health challenges she endured over the last 18 years. It is not trite to say that to know Kelly was to love her. She never met a person who didn’t remember her for her kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness. 

In addition to her parents, Kelly is survived by her sister, Peg Burgess of Framingham, MA, brother, Mike Shea and his wife Sherri of West Hartford, nieces and nephews; Ricky, Jeremy, Alex, Hannah, Jake, Riley and Katie, her loving extended family including her special nieces, Alison, Rachel and Nicole and her best friends, Tracy Najarian and Anne Macklin. She was predeceased by her sister, Jackie Brown. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kelly’s memory may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 (https://www.lls.org/). 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville.  Visitation hours will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the funeral home.  For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.