Mom of 9/11 Hero Dies One Month After Dad Passes

The Kelly family in Riverhead is once again facing the heartbreak of loss.

Sue Kelly, the mother of a Riverhead 9/11 hero who was honored recently at the new 9/11 Memorial Park on Sound Avenue, died Monday— only one month after the death of her husband, Emmet Kelly.

A viewing service for Mrs. Kelly will be held at the Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home, located at 406 East Main Street in Riverhead, with visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday.

A funeral mass will be held Friday morning  at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish, located at 546 St. John Place, in Riverhead.

Both of his parents lived long enough to see a 9/11 memorial park unveiled for 
Thomas Kelly, 38, a New York City firefighter and one of seven members of Engine 219, Ladder 105 who died on September 11 after the terrorist attacks.

His father, a Reeves Park resident, Bob Kelly said, had been "battling a full plate of health issues for some time now. Dad was placed under hospice care a few weeks back, and with the tremendous support from my family, friends and health care providers he  was able to slowly check out, in a warm, loving fashion."

Kelly sent thanks to family and friends for prayers, thoughts and meditations sent throughout the last days. "We could feel the positive energy in Mom and Dad's home," he wrote.

"One of the last great memories Emmet had was the fact that he was able to attend the Sept. 11 memorial service here in Reeves Park," Kelly wrote. "Dad and Mom were quietly touched and honored to know our family was able to play a small part in getting this park to  see the light of day."
 
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations can be made to the September 11 Memorial Park at Reeves Beach, C/O Sound Park Heights Civic Association, 110 Park Road, Riverhead, NY 11901.

The 9/11 memorial park was open for the recent service and will have a formal opening in months to come.