Alexandra K. Kielty of Chevy Chase, MD passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 4, 2018 in Chevy Chase. Sandy, as she was known in Holyoke, was born in Holyoke, MA on March 1, 1946. She was the daughter of Edward A. and Kathleen (Bresnahan) Maher. Her brother William T. Maher predeceased her in 2007. She is survived by her brother Edward A. Maher and his wife Lyn of San Clemente, CA. Additionally she is survived by her cousins Jane Lenarsky of Natick MA, Jane Chalmers and Kathleen Weatherwax, both of Lady Lake FL and nieces Laurie Svitenko of San Clemente, CA and Colby Countryman of Agoura Hills, CA.

Sandy grew up in the Wyckoff Park area of Holyoke, attended Nonotuck, Highland and John J. Lynch schools and Holyoke High School. She loved Holyoke and had many friends there. Among many other things she was an enthusiastic patron of that beloved Holyoke institution, Luchini’s Restaurant on Hampden Street and likewise loved Nick’s Nest hot dogs.

After graduation from Holyoke High School, she went to college at CW Post College on Long Island and was married to Richard Kielty of Staten Island, NY. They lived in New Jersey and Sandy worked in New York City as a social worker.

Sandy and Richard divorced and she spent the rest of her adult life living in Chevy Chase, MD and the Washington D.C. area where she was known as Alex Kielty. In 1979 she suffered a devastating ski accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She adapted to the injury, and with the help of a very good friend, Linda
Kontnier, also of Chevy Chase, and other close friends there as well, she lived a very independent, productive and active life in Maryland. She worked for many years for the U.S. Department of Labor, becoming the head of its Disability Employment Program.

In spite of her severe physical issues, she traveled extensively over the years and enjoyed re-visiting western Massachusetts during its glorious fall seasons, always stopping by Atkins Farms Country Market in South Amherst and the Michelson Gallery in Northampton. In Maryland she enjoyed a very busy social life including being President of her condominium board and an active member of the Friendship Heights Village council in Chevy Chase. She will be deeply missed by her family and the friends who knew her. Throughout her years, she lived a very brave, courageous and generous life.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Dec 5, 2018 at 11 AM at the South Amherst Cemetery, located between South East & Middle Streets in Amherst. Funeral arrangements are being done by Douglass Funeral Services, 87 No. Pleasant Street, Amherst, 413 -253-3407. Douglass can be contacted for service details. A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held at a later date in Chevy Chase. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Doctors Without Borders (NYC) or the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C.