Virginia Upton Kean

Virginia Upton Kean, 64, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born in Baltimore to the late Frank Wesley and Nell Upton. She graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport and LSU, where she pledged Delta Delta Delta. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a legendary character you couldn't spend five minutes around without laughing. Those touched by her joie de vivre will understand. She was a famous card shark who played bridge several times a week. She was one of the founders of the Tuesday Bridge Club in January 1966. She was an artist with a needle. There is a little bit of Virginia in homes and offices throughout south Louisiana in the counted cross-stitch gifts she made for friends and family. She was active in many organizations, including the Junior League of Baton Rouge, La Tertulia, the Harness Club and Friends of the LSU Libraries. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Frank Hugh Kean III; her daughter and son-in-law, Emily and David Berg, of Decatur, Ga.; a son, Frank Hugh Kean IV; and grandchildren, William, Thomas and Hallie Berg, all of Decatur. Visiting will be in the Parish Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church on Tuesday, Nov. 20, from 1 p.m. until memorial service at 4 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Ralph Howe. Because Virginia was a lifelong animal lover, the family requests donations in lieu of flowers to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah, 84741-5000 or to a charity of choice.