"Nan" Kelleher Blair

"Nan" Kelleher Blair of Bridgewater NJ peacefully passed away at home on Monday, November 15, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.

Nan was born December 22, 1938 in Jersey City NJ to Kathleen and Michael Kelleher.

Nan was the heart and soul of her Irish Catholic family and was an accomplished Irish Step Dancer. She was most proud of her Irish heritage and encouraged her children, grandchildren, family and friends to embrace the spirit of St Patrick. Nan danced professionally as a youth and later taught neighborhood children Irish step dancing for many years in Fords NJ. Later when retiring to the Villages in Florida, she and husband Ken played key roles in the establishment and growth of The Irish American Club of The Villages where Nan was named Irish Woman of the Year in 2005, Nan & Ken were named Irish couple of the year 2007 and Nan was honored as Historian of the Irish American Club 1996-2006. Nan's dedication to the advancement of Irish dance continues to grow as her children and club members dance their jigs year after year.

Nan is a graduate of St Michael's High School Jersey City, NJ worked for Chemical Bank NY and obtained her real estate license where she worked with her husband, Ken, at their real estate office, Blair House Realty.

Nan married Kenneth J Blair also of Jersey City November 28, 1959 and raised four children Jim, Maureen, Denise and Patty in Branchburg NJ. Nan enjoyed a full life as a loving wife of 61 years and played an active role everywhere she went. Even as she lived with progressing dementia over the past couple years, she found peace in having family close by.

Jim Blair now of Wilmington NC, married to Kathy, Maureen Blair of Bridgewater, Denise Blair Cianciola of Hillsborough and husband Tony, Patty Bottrel of Bridgewater.

Nan also known as Nanny to grandchildren Joseph Bottrel of Flemington NJ married to Maria, Kaitlyn Bottrel of Bridgewater NJ, Christopher Cianciola and fiancé, Janine, of Whippany, NJ, Kyle Cianciola of Plainsboro NJ and Kelly Cianciola of Arlington, VA.

Nan is also Great Grandmother to Patrick Bottrel and Kenny Greco.

Nan's siblings are Marie Kelleher (deceased) and Dennis Kelleher of Jersey City, NJ married to Philomena. Nan has 3 nieces Kathleen, Colleen, Maryanne and nephew Michael (deceased).

Visiting hours from 3pm-5pm & 7pm-9pm on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Ave., Somerville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 am on Friday November 19, 2021, at Immaculate Conception Church, 35 Mountain Ave Somerville NJ 08876. Entombment will be at St Bernard Cemetery & Mausoleums 551 Route 28 Bridgewater NJ 08807.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to either of these organizations:
VNA Health Group, Attn: Philanthropy, 23 Main St Suite D1, Holmdel NJ 07733. You may also donate at http://VNAHG.org/giving/

Please designate Robert Wood Johnson Visiting Nurses Hospice or Alzheimer's Association of Greater NJ alz.org https://www.alz.org/nj/donate