Waltraud Maria Magdalena "Val" (Beil) Kelleher

Waltraud M. "Val" Kelleher, beloved wife of the late Donald Kelleher, a resident of Dracut, passed away peacefully on February 8 , 2016, at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers with her family by her side. She was 80.

Val was born in Pyritz, Germany on November 10, 1935, a daughter of the late Fritz and Freida (Gruchot) Beil.

She was educated in Hamburg, Germany and immigrated to the United States at age 17.
Val met Don shortly after arriving in the US. They were married in 1955. Together they spent 53 wonderful years together until his passing 7 years ago.

Val worked for many years at the former Josef's Hair Salon prior to purchasing the salon in 1988. She worked as a hairdresser until retiring.

Val loved singing and dancing, her pool and the beach. She and Don enjoyed traveling and visits to the mountains of Vermont and the coast of Maine, especially Wells Beach. She was happiest entertaining with her family at her pool, and the holidays, primarily Christmas.
Val was a member of the Red Hat Society, and the former German Club in Lowell.

She was always humming a happy tune. Val dared to be different. "Omi" was anything but an ordinary grandmother to her nine grandchildren. She taught them to let go of self consciousness, and to also challenge the status quo. Val cherished the hours she spent with all of her family, but adored the time she spent with her grandchildren." Omi"could entertain them for hours.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Steven and Debra Kelleher of North Hampton, NH, Peter and Heather Kelleher of Lowell, Kathleen and Paul Beauregard of Dracut, Karen Kelleher of Peabody, Jennifer Ziemba of Dracut; nine grandchildren, Zachary, Brooke, Jacob, Shayla, Jake, Ryan, Mathew, Kyle, Shane; and a great granddaughter, Adrianna; a brother and sister in law, Hans and Marie Beil of MI; sister in laws: Antoinette Kelleher, Florence Rudolph, Carol Brousseau, brother in law Daniel Kelleher, daughter in law Joyce Kelleher of Maine, several nieces, nephews, dear friend Carlene Barbuto and friends at the Atrium in Danvers. She was the mother of the late Donald L. Kelleher, Jr. and sister of the late Heinz Beil, Ursula Beil, and Lieselotte Jablonski.