Mary O’Leary Kneeland, 102, known affectionately to her family and many of her friends as “Kiki,” died peacefully at her home at Anthem Lakes in Atlantic Beach, Florida on November 19. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on April 10, 1920, she was the oldest of seven children of Theresa and Daniel C. O’Leary.

She attended Holyoke High School, where she met the love of her life, Edward J. Kneeland. After their graduation in 1937, Mary entered Holyoke Hospital School of Nursing to become an RN, and Edward attended Amherst College. They were married in his senior year of college, and they lived a long and wonderful love story until his death in 1999, enjoying travel, entertaining, and time spent with family and friends. Mary was the consummate hostess, a wonderful cook, and was able to make guests feel at home on a moment’s notice. She was known for her sense of humor and loved to make others laugh. She was a true partner to Ed as he advanced on the corporate ladder in his lifelong career with General Electric, entertaining colleagues with wonderful meals and fun sing-alongs as Ed played his beloved baby grand piano, present in every home they shared. She cheerfully moved out of and into many homes when his job required relocation, and was a magician in making things feel homey in record time.

When Ed was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she rose to the role of caregiver. When there were no resources in the area for families dealing with Alzheimer’s, she started a support group and was instrumental in organizing the first Beaches Walk for Alzheimer’s. She was a dedicated volunteer for many organizations throughout her life, most recently in the Beaches area, including the Beaches Historical Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the American Cancer Society. She was a member of the Junior League in many of the communities where she made her home. She continued to volunteer at Baptist Beaches Medical Center until her mid-90s, and she was named Senior Volunteer of the Year for the Beaches.

Mary was predeceased by her daughter Nancy Kneeland Wright, in 2011; by her parents; and by her six siblings: brothers Daniel C. O’Leary, Jr, of Jacksonville and Francis O’Leary, and sisters Shirley Woolwine, Theresa Mulvaney, Dorothy Leary, and Aldine Chivas.

She is survived by her daughter Susan Kneeland Licht, and husband Peter of Newtown, Conn.; by her grandchildren, Jeffrey Wright and wife Sherise of Salt Lake City, Utah, Julie Wright of Gainesville, Fla., Christopher Licht and wife Jenny of New York City, and Stephanie Hatherley and husband Scott of Hopkinton, Mass.; as well as by great-grandchildren, Devon Wright and wife Maria of Maine, Macaela Wright of Salt Lake City, Derek and Dylan Hatherley of Hopkinton, Mass., and Andrew and Ryan Licht of New York City. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Bobbie O’Leary, of Jacksonville; her son-in-law, Roger Wright, of Gainesville, Fla; and by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and many dear friends and former neighbors.

A celebration of Mary’s long and full life will be scheduled in early 2023.