Rose Parghamian Keeney

Rose (Dzaghig, meaning ‘flower’ in Armenian) was born on November 19, 1932 in Preston, Ontario, Canada. She was the middle child of the late Arsen and Bytzar Parghamian, Armenian immigrants who migrated to Canada after surviving the Armenian Genocide. Armenian was spoken in the home and it was not until she entered grade school that she learned to speak English. Her family was part of a tight-nit Armenian community within the small town of Preston. Rose attended Preston High School where she completed Canadian year 13 studies. Upon graduation she worked as a secretary for Canadian Office and School Furniture Co.

Rose and her sister, Anne, were inseparable. In 1960 they decided to leave their quaint, small town life and move to New York City to work and broaden their horizons. They shared an apartment in Kew Gardens and worked in the city. Rose was hired by Benjamin Moore, working as an executive secretary in their corporate office on Fifth Avenue. Together they enjoyed big city life including shopping, Radio City, restaurants and dancing. She met her future husband, Gerry, while doing laundry in the basement of their apartment building and after dating for two years married in Canada in June of 1962. They often laughed about her parents first meeting Gerry, a fair-haired, blue-eyed southern boy and most importantly, a non-Armenian, and the cold reception he initially received. Over the years, her parents warmed to Gerry and cherished him as their son-in-law who embraced the Armenian culture.

After the wedding, Rose and Gerry honeymooned in Niagara Falls as they drove south to settle in Gerry’s hometown of Orlando, Florida. Rose did not initially care for the Florida heat and being so far from her family up north but soon made friends and came to consider Florida home. She and Gerry had two children and in the late ‘60s, relocated to North Miami Beach before settling in Hollywood where they lived for over fifty years. Rose was involved in her children’s school and activities, volunteering in the classroom and through the PTA, serving as an assistant Girl Scout leader, and active in their church. She loved to play and host bridge with her female friends from the neighborhood, school, and church and there are fond memories of laughter around the bridge tables setup throughout the house. In the late ‘70s, Rose went back to work as the Office Manager’s Secretary for EF Hutton and later Dean Witter Reynolds. She loved her job and continued to work for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter well past retirement age. Rose and Gerry were season ticket holders for the Florida Marlins and enjoyed attending games. They also loved cheering on the Miami Dolphins and Florida State Seminoles, Gerry’s alma mater. Family and friends were extremely important and they welcomed all to their home and often had friends drop by for a visit. Christmas Eve after church at the Keeney house was a well known occasion with friends of Rose, Gerry, and their children dropping by for food, libations, and good cheer. Rose stayed physically active and exercised at the YMCA almost every day after work. In retirement, Gerry and Rose enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren, taking cruises with friends, and continuing to socialize and volunteer through their church. Rose lovingly cared for Gerry as he battled Parkinson’s disease until his recent passing.

We said goodbye too soon, Mom, but we find comfort knowing you are reunited with your lifelong love and best friend, Dad. Watch over us, until we are all together again.

Rose is survived by her children, Anne Keeney Madsen and Gerald (Jay) Walter Keeney, Jr. (Caroline), grandchildren Sooltan Rose and Jack Douglas Madsen and Hayden James and Ava Caroline Keeney, sister Anne Parghamian Brasmer, and brother John (Marie) Parghamian. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gerald Walter Keeney, Sr., parents Arsen and Bytzar Parghamian, and infant brother Martin Parghamian.

A joint memorial service celebrating both Rose and Gerry’s lives will be held at Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church on Thursday, December 17th at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church in Hollywood, Florida.