Mary Hickey Keenan

Mary Hickey Keenan died peacefully June 10, 2016 in her home. Born Nov.22, 1922 in Jacksonville, FL, she is predeceased by her parents Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Hickey and Estelle Hickey, 2 siblings and her beloved husband Frank T. Keenan.

As an “army brat” Mary lived and worked in many cities before meeting her Navy Man, Frank, at a U.S.O. dance in Washington, DC. After a whirlwind courtship, they married on January 12, 1946.

They moved to Kentucky and welcomed a son that same year. A year later, a job with General Electric moved the young family to Washington State where they welcomed nine more children; then to New York adding two more children. They moved their family briefly to Alabama and Mississippi, where their thirteenth child was born. In 1968, they welcomed their last child in Wilmington, the town they would finally call home.

Mary was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church and a founding member of St. Mark Catholic Church. Mary participated in several ministries including the Ladies Guild, the Lion’s Mane, Comfort Committee, and Bridge Club. Mary’s favorite ministry was music and she sang in choir for over 40 years. Even after the death of Frank in 2000, Mary continued to travel, attend the theatre and ballet with friends, and make regular lunch and dinner dates with her children and grandchildren.

Mary is survived by:

7 sons: Tom (Lechon), George, Robert, James (Janet), Frank Jr., John (Shelley), and Mike (Diane) Keenan

7 daughters: Mary (Jeff) Mayberry, Teresa Ulsh, Pat (Steve) Sauer, Fran (Steve) Tabor, Annie (John) Osborne, Cissy Keenan, and Maggie (Boney) Ives

30 grandchildren: Kelly(Frank) Pope; Kipp(Elizabeth)Keenan; Robert(Libera) Keenan; Scott Keenan; Kristen(Cam)Smith; Amy (Brian)Todd; Joma, Emily Keenan; Steve' Tim Mayberry; Richard (Kerrin)Ulsh; James Ulsh; Stephen Lee(Liz) Ulsh; Jacob (Bess) Sauer; Edward, David, Adam Sauer; Keenan(Chris)McGrath; Forrest(Elizabeth)Tabor; Logan,Corinne Tabor; Melissa(Bogdan)Ghitun; Tom(Jill)Osborne; McKenzie, Greyson Keenan; David, Riley Wysocki; Joey(Devon) Keenan and Kristina Keenan

31 great grandchildren: Mary Catheryn, Keenan, Zachary Pope; Jordan,Tierney Keenan;Logan Naron and Taylor Crook; Luca, Nicodemus Keenan; Amelia, Ila, Adelaide, Simon,Josefina Smith; Kenleigh, Gibson, Seth Todd; Aidan, Connor, Colin Ulsh; Madison, Brendon Ulsh; Kayla, Guthrie,Ida Sauer; Grace, Patrick McGrath; Matei, Olivia Ghitun; Eva, Samson Osborne; Evan Mott, and Hadley Keenan,

and her brother, Joe Hickey, of Allison Park, PA.

Vigil will be Tuesday June 14, 2016 at Coble Ward Funeral Home Oleander Drive from 6 to 6:30 pm with visitation immediately following until 8pm.

Mass of the Resurrection will be Wednesday June 15, 2016 at 11 am at St Mark Catholic Church Eastwood Rd.

The family wishes to thank mom’s medical team for such compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice or Babcock Center 2725 Banny Jones Ave. West Columbia, SC 29170

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.coblewardsmithwilmington.com