Thora Wymene Keating

Thora was born on February 9, 1933 in Windham, Maine to Walter and Lucy Stevens, where she spent her youth on the family’s dairy farm. Once grown, she joined the Air Force where she met her husband Edward J. Keating.

After retiring from the Air Force, they moved back to Keene, New Hampshire with their four children. They owned The Red Roof restaurant in Swanzey, New Hampshire which also operated a popular night club and disco. Toddy was the host and took her job as the first point of contact for her guests very seriously. She enjoyed being a surrogate den mother to the Keene State College students who patronized the disco. Though she was small in stature, five feet tall and 100 pounds, her rules were absolute. If you broke those rules that meant an end to your fun for the sake of everyone else's enjoyment.

Retired life after the restaurant led to Cape Carteret, North Carolina where they were very active in the Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Habitat for Humanity, and neighborhood organizations around their community. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and was adept at knitting, sewing, and needle point, often donating and gifting her creations.

She was predeceased by Edward, her husband of 67 years, her first-born child Edward J. Keating III, and her granddaughter Andria Kitchner. She lived a long life and is survived by her daughter Katherine and her husband Robert Sunn, her son Paul and his wife Brenda, her son Michael and his wife Anne, and her eldest son’s widow Terri. She is also survived by her grandchildren Christian, Emma, Hunter, and great grandchildren Shealee, Owen, Gavin and Emily.

Interment will be at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in Keene, New Hampshire in 2026 at a date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to an organization that supports your local community.