Cara Sheridan Alexander Kealy passed away on January 25, 2013 after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.
She is survived by her two sons, Harrison Sean, age 13, and Declan Alexander, age 9. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Sean Fitzgerald Kealy, who died unexpectedly on September 4, 2011 and her father, Raymond Alexander, who passed in 1991. Cara was born on February 3, 1969 in Seattle, Washington to Doris (Dodi) and Raymond Alexander. She graduated from Oak Hall Academy in Gainesville Florida in 1987 and Boston College in 1991. Cara received a Masters in Psychology from the University of Florida in 1992.Cara and Sean first met as students at Boston College where they both played intramural rugby. By all accounts, it was love at first sight – the beautiful Southern brunette and the handsome blonde boy from New York. Cara and Sean were married on May 25, 1994 and welcomed Harrison in 1999 and Declan in 2003. They settled in Mount Vernon, New York in 2000. A loving wife and mother, the primary focus of Cara’s life was “her boys”. She was a champion for The Chapel School and served for over six years on the Advisory Board. She loved volunteering in the school library and in her boys’ classrooms. Harrison and Declan could always count on Cara’s presence at every classroom celebration, birthday, chapel service, worker of the week awards, band performance and athletic games. Cara’s homemade Halloween costumes for her children were legendary. Cara was an associate real estate broker at Bronxville-Ley Real Estate since 2001. Energetic and personable, Cara was consistently a top producer in the field, earning multiple awards and commendations including the WCBR’s Diamond Award Excellence, awarded to the top tier of Realtors in Westchester, 2005, Quality Service Certified Platinum Award, 2007, representing the highest level of satisfaction in the real estate industry, the 2003 Summit Sales Award and the 2002 Medallion Sales Award. Cara was the number one producer for Bronxville-Ley in 2005 and was named one of Westchester’s Top Realtors by Westchester WAG Magazine, May 2006.Cara was first diagnosed with breast cancer in late 1999 and became a vocal and committed supporter of numerous organizations devoted to fighting the disease on a local and national level. As a member of the Junior League of Bronxville, she first served on the Cancer Support Team committee and later founded and served as chairwoman of the Breast Cancer Awareness Committee. Cara also was actively involved with the Jeanne A. Petrek Breast Cancer Walk and acted as a facilitator with the Bereavement Center of Westchester’s “Treehouse” program. In 2008, Cara collaborated with the founders of the Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network, which is dedicated to improving cancer care, serving as its first Director and was a tireless advocate for patients.Cara’s incredible spirit and strength was showcased as the Keynote Speaker for the 2007 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York City. Speaking to an audience of thousands, Cara displayed immense courage and gave hope to everyone who heard her that cold October morning. No stranger to the spotlight, Cara also spoke about her story as a guest on the Rosie O’Donnell Show, Good Morning America and Ricky Lake in the early 2000’s.In addition to her sons, Cara is survived by her mother, Doris (Dodi) Alexander, her sister, Evyn Alexander, her husband’s mother Christine, sister Courtney and brother Benjamin, countless aunts, uncles and cousins and hundreds of devoted friends. She will be deeply missed.Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 1st from 4-7 p.m at Fred H. McGrath & Son. A memorial celebration of Cara’s life will be held at The Reformed Church on Saturday, February 2nd at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kealy Family Trust, PO Box115, Bronxville, NY 10708 (Carol Donnelly, Trustee)or the Sean and Cara Kealy Children’s Trust, 124 West 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 (Courtney Kealy, Trustee)..
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