Elizabeth R. Keeley

Elizabeth R. Keeley

     Elizabeth Rightnour Keeley (Betty), loving mother and wife, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 18th, 2021, at home surrounded by her husband, children, and two of her grandchildren Brian and Jessica.

Betty was born on January 24th, 1936, to Mary and Jay Rightnour in Washington D.C. She graduated from Anacostia high school in 1954, and went on to explore various jobs. She found herself in Berlin in 1956 working for the CIA, where she met the love of her life, Robert Lawrence Keeley. They married on July 9th, 1960.

Betty is survived by her husband Bob and 7 children, Christine Marie and husband Dr. Timothy Trageser, Robert Lawrence Jr. and wife Amy, Teresa Marie and husband Matthew Tews, Kathryn Marie and husband Scott Holden, Ann Marie and husband Santos Ceballos, Karen Marie and fiancé Sean Foley, and Kevin Lawrence. She was preceded in death by her parents Mary and Jay, as well as by two infant children, Mary Elizabeth and Jay Lawrence.

She is also survived by grand-children Brian, Jessica, Daniel, Nicholas, Robert (Kasey), Matthew (Shennean), Max (Rachael), Tyler, Kacie, Sara, Anna, Joshua, Kaitlin, Angela (Alejandro), Samantha, Harmony, Jahya, Elijah, and great-grandchildren Hazel Grace, Stella Rose, Autumm, Bryce, Millianna, Marcelina, and Benjamin, as well as siblings Grace, Renie (Larry), Jay, and Charlie (Alice).

Betty held the fort down during Bob’s 20-year military career as well as during his 5-year diaconate studies and his many hours of dedication to the church. She was the bedrock to which her family was built upon. Betty is well known in her family for enjoying the peace and quiet of late nights. It was at these times, when the children were in bed, where she mastered delicious dishes such as her potato salad, spinach balls, stuffed shells, and tuna casserole. Waking up on any given holiday morning, Easter for example, and witnessing one of her intricately decorated baking creations such as an egg-shaped cake, was a real treat for the eyes. Oh, and if you just happened to be in her presence when she whipped up the butter cream frosting - thanks for letting us lick the beaters, spoons, and bowl mom!

If cooking or baking where not on her late-night agenda, then she busied herself with typing her kids school papers or sewing clothes and costumes from her collection of Simplicity patterns. In the after dinner hours for relaxation, any Hallmark movie, Angela Lansbury’s "Murder She Wrote", or word puzzles were her go-to. And you can count on the Orioles game being on the TV when they were playing, as she was a loyal fan.

Betty has been a charter member of the Crestwood Homemakers since its inception in 1973, as well as an active member in the Catholic Daughters - Court Ann Seton 2119. Within these two communities she nourished lasting relationships and performed charitable acts of service. As an ardent Catholic, Betty adored our Virgin Mother Mary and lived every day as an exemplary Christian. She was a faithful supporter of St. Phillip Neri parish, dedicating countless amounts of time, energy and support to the St. Philip community.

Her infectious humor, unconditional love and devotion to family live on through her many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by many.

To honor Elizabeth’s desire for a full and enriched life for her youngest child Kevin, donations can be made to www.gigisplayhouse.org in lieu of flower donations.
 

Friends may visit at Gonce Funeral Service P.A., 4001 Ritchie Highway, on Thursday March 25th from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9pm. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Philip Neri Church on Friday at 11am. Mrs. Keeley will be laid to rest in Baltimore National Cemetery.

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