Katelyn Marie Tully

Katelyn was born on September 25, 1993, in Plattsburgh, New York. She was the cherished daughter of John F. Tully and Karen L. (Story) Tully. Katelyn graduated from Methuen High School with the Class of 2012.

On April 3, 2014, Katelyn proudly enlisted in the United States Army National Guard for a six year enlistment. She was called to active service and bravely served in Afghanistan for six months, earning numerous awards and commendations for her courage and dedication. She was honorably discharged and returned home to continue her commitment to public service.

Katelyn began her law enforcement career with the Haverhill Police Department. After a period with the Newbury Police Department, she returned to her home at Haverhill Police, where she remained a dedicated and respected officer. She served honorably on both the Police Honor Guard and the Military Honor Guard, consistently seeking specialized training to enhance her skills and remain current with evolving laws.

The Haverhill Police Department described Katelyn as “a dedicated officer whose presence left a lasting impact on everyone she served beside. She was more than a colleague; she was family. Her quiet strength, unwavering integrity, and fierce loyalty to her duty set a powerful example for all of us. She approached each challenge with grace and resilience, never backing down when others needed her most. She was caring, considerate, and compassionate qualities that defined her both in and out of uniform. Whether offering a listening ear, lending a helping hand, or leading with empathy, she embodied everything we hoped for in an exceptional officer. Her absence leaves a void that words cannot fill, but her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the hearts she strengthened. We will carry her memory with us always.”

Katelyn was deeply committed to physical and mental wellness; she enjoyed working out and was very conscious of eating healthy. She found joy in hiking local trails with her beloved dog, Kendrick or running her dog Bailey on Plum Island. Katelyn was planning to expand her career into the healthcare field where she had a special interest in behavioral and mental health advocacy. She was also a very enthusiastic when it came to her fellow female officers and and took every opportunity to support and uplift women in law enforcement, always encouraging others to work hard and strive for excellence.

In her free time, Katelyn loved shopping and name brands were her specialty, she looked forward to heading out to lunch or dinner with friends, visiting local home décor stores and decorating for the holidays, and not to forget visiting the local Starbucks for her favorite Matcha drink.

Katelyn had a unique ability to make others feel seen, heard, and valued, always putting others first. She will be fondly remembered for her unconditional love and devotion to her family and friends, for her beautiful smile that would light up a room, and for huge heart; she was an angel on earth and will forever be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Katelyn was the beloved daughter of John F. Tully of Tavernier, FL (formerly of Wilmington, MA) and Karen L. Tully of Merrimac, MA. She was the devoted sister of Amanda Tully and her companion Joe Curley of Kingston, NH, and the loving girlfriend of Alex MacMullen of Haverhill, formerly of Groveland. She was the dear granddaughter of Elizabeth Tumber and the late Gerald Tumber of Littleton, MA, and the late Jerry and Judy Tully. Katelyn was also a cherished niece to Brian and Lindsey Tully of York, ME, Mark and Nancy Tully of Foxboro, MA, Maura and Robert Puleo of Deltaville, VA, Debbie and Tommy Cappucci of Pepperell, MA, Paul Story of Littleton, MA, and the late Karen (Tully) Richardson. She is survived by many special cousins, dear friends, and fellow officers. Katelyn was also the devoted “fur mommy” to her beloved dogs, " sweet boy" Kendrick and the late Bailey, both of whom she adored.

Family and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Thursday, October 2nd from 3:00–8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA, on Friday, October 3rd at 11:00 a.m. (Please go directly to the Church). Interment with Military Honors will follow at Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Katelyn’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or online at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

EULOGY:

Thank you all for being here today to honor and remember my sister. Standing here now, I find it difficult to find the words that fully capture the incredible person she was — but I’ll try, because she deserves that and so much more.

My little sister was a force. A protector. A fighter. A nurturer. She lived her life in service to others — in the military, as a police officer, as a dedicated member of her community, and as a passionate advocate for mental health. She walked into spaces — often male-dominated, often difficult — with her head high, her heart open, and her mind made up. She always empowered woman especially in a male dominated field of work. She didn’t ask for permission to be strong. She just was.

She believed in people — not just in their goodness, but in their potential. She saw value in every soul, even in their flaws. Especially in their flaws. She had this way of loving people in their entirety, not just the polished parts they wanted the world to see. That love — unconditional, grounded, fierce — it changed lives. I know it changed mine.

But she wasn’t just strength and service. She was also absolutely hilarious. Her sense of humor was dry, dark, witty, sometimes wildly inappropriate — and completely perfect. She had this uncanny ability to find light in the darkest of places, and if you were having a bad day, she’d make sure you at least got a laugh out of it, even if it was the kind that made you shake your head and say, “I can’t believe you just said that.”

And while she accomplished so much, to me, she was first and always my baby sister. My partner in crime. My protector. My milk-finisher. I still remember those nights at the kitchen table when I wasn’t allowed to leave until I finished my glass of milk — and I just couldn’t do it..milk is disgusting to me. Every time, without fail, she’d wait until my parents weren’t looking and quietly slide over, finish it for me, and then flash that mischievous little smirk like we’d just pulled off the greatest heist of all time.

That was her. Brave enough to take on the world, soft enough to finish her big sibling’s milk.

She was the kind of woman who made you feel safer just by being in the room. The kind of sister who made you feel understood without needing to say a word. The kind of human who gave everything she had to make life better for others.

We are devastated by this loss. But even in this grief, I am so proud to say I am her big sister. I am proud of the life she lived, the people she protected, and the hearts she touched.

So today, as we remember her, let us carry forward her legacy — of service, of laughter, of fierce love and unwavering strength. Let us be brave like she was. Let us love people fully, like she did. And let us always, always find a reason to laugh — even if it’s through tears.

On behalf of Katelyn, she strongly urges

the following words. “Therapy is NOT a weakness, it is a strength”

Rest peacefully baby girl, You did more in your short time here than many do in a lifetime. We will carry you with us, always.