Sylvia Mary Frances Keller Leary, 92, of Manchester, died Wednesday, January 08, 2014. She was the beloved spouse of the late Francis J Leary. She was born in Newark, New Jersey on January 30, 1921, the daughter of the late Peter G. Keller and Caroline (Brasser) Keller. She was a graduate of Our Lady of the Valley High School in Orange, New Jersey. As a young girl, she was very involved in the community of Sacred Heart Church in Newark. In 1946, she was president of the Sacred Heart Church Sodality and she needed a date for an upcoming dance. A good friend was dating Frank's Fordham University roommate and they introduced her to Frank. From that time on they were inseparable. They married on September 25, 1948 and they enjoyed 62 happy years together. She was employed for several years at AT&T, first in New Jersey and then in Connecticut. They had three children by whom she is survived: Peter Leary and his wife June, Bernadette Skelding and her husband Randy, and J. William Leary and his wife Patricia. In addition, she is survived by six grandchildren, Andrew and Kristen Leary, Joseph and Anne Skelding, Kathryn Quinn and her husband Cary, and Alysa Leary. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Sylvia's entire life revolved around her family. She was a loving, generous, and devoted mother and grandmother. Whatever the need, be it as a Girl Scout Cookie Mom or a baby sitter for grandkids, she was always there to lend a helping hand. Although Frank took the girl out of New Jersey, no one could take New Jersey out of the girl! Summers revolved around trips to her beloved Belmar, New Jersey accompanied by their three kids and, later, the grandkids. She was never happier than when she was sitting on the beach with Frank at her side. She was a terrific Mom and a great Grandma who will be deeply missed. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her brothers Frank, Edwin, Albert, and Peter Keller and her sister, Bernadette Keller. She was also predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Marie Leary and her grandson, William Leary. The family would like to extend a special thanks to her devoted caregiver, Georgina, who loved and cared for our mother as if she were her own. Funeral service will be held on Monday January 13th at 10:15 am form the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center Street, Manchester with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:00 am at St. Bridget Church 80 Main Street Manchester followed by burial in St. James Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 3:00-5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Bridget Church School, 80 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06042 or to a charity of the donor's choice. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.