KEANE, Elizabeth “Betty Ann” nee Kelly, 86, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Good Friday in Needham, MA. She was the beloved wife for 58 years of the late Thomas M. Keane; daughter of Eugene Francis and Anna (Dunn) Kelly; sister of the late Eugene Kelly, Jr., and the late Rev. Monsignor Robert J. Kelly; mother of eleven children; grandmother of 34; and great-grandmother of one. She was born in Wethersfield, CT, and was a graduate of Mt. St. Joseph Academy in West Hartford and the College of New Rochelle. During high school and college, she became an accomplished stage, radio and television actress, appearing for several years as a regular on Mind Your Manners (Allen – Password -- Ludden’s first game show). After her marriage in 1955, she lived in Hartford, CT; Bloomfield, CT; Needham; Centerville; and Hingham. Her greatest and most beloved role was that of mother to Thomas M. (spouse: Laurie Farrell) of Boston; Robert J. (Sharon Curtin) of Bedford; Mary ‘Beth Doherty (Christopher) of Topsfield; Anne Kelly of Hadley; Martin E. (Elizabeth Reich) of Arlington, VA; Gregory J. (Lissa Hale) of Nahant; Kathryn T. Bullen (Tori) of Sedalia, CO; James P. (Eileen Phelan) of Milford, CT; Kevin J. (Eileen Madaus) of Needham; Brian F. (Kate Sawyer) of Arlington, VA; and Bridget J. (Ryan Kiessling -- to be married this spring) of Boston. Of equal joy to her were her grandchildren and great-grandchild. Even as family and friends mourn her loss, we are grateful for her lifelong examples of caring, wisdom, and devotion grounded in her strong Roman Catholic faith. We will miss her quick wit and the way she made everyone feel equally special. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Needham Free Public Library (the “NFPL Permanent Donation Fund”), of which she was a proud employee.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave. Needham, Saturday, April 22 at 9AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Bartholomew Church, Needham at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Friday, April 21 from 4-8pm. Interment in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Centerville.