Alice Keena

Alice (Boden) Keena Alice Keena, a longtime Novato resident, died Tuesday the 29th of May 2012, at the age of 99. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family. Alice was one of 10 children born to Catherine and Patrick Boden of Crossmaglen, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. At the age of 17, she made the journey to America by boat, landing in New York. She then traveled by train to San Francisco, where she joined her sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins and later met the love of her life, Thomas Keena a member of a Pioneer Novato family. Alice and Tom married in 1941 after meeting at a YMI dance at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Their marriage lasted 57 years and was an inspiration to many. Alice and Tom first lived in a house in downtown Novato that Tom designed for his bride and where they raised five children. Years later they moved into a home Tom built on the Keena Ranch, which was purchased by his parents in 1910. A year after Tom's death in 1998, their daughter Eileen and son-in-law Frank moved into the residence to be with her. In 2000 their son Brian was born giving Alice her 11th grandchild whom she kept a special bond with and who kept her young at heart. Alice spent the remaining years of her life at the home the family shared. Throughout the years Alice and Tom enjoyed many vacations including several trips back to visit family in Ireland, as well as trips to Europe, Alaska and Hawaii. Among some of her favorite activities were attending and hosting monthly Whist card parties that included many women from old time Novato families. She also enjoyed painting, gardening, sewing, photography, filming home movies, and making homemade jams and pies. She instilled in all who were close to her the importance of family. Her quick Irish wit and infectious laugher constantly drew people to her. Alice was intimately involved in the lives of all her relatives. Despite the large number of family members, Alice never forgot a birthday or an anniversary and was beyond generous in her gifts for all occasions or no occasion at all. Not only did Alice touch the hearts of her family and friends, she touched the lives of many in the community through her involvement with countless organizations and charities. She was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of America and she was extremely active in Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church where she sang as a choir member for many years. In addition Alice was a founding member of the Novato Historical Society, a community club leader for the Miwok 4-H club as well as member of the Acacia Club. During World War II, she acted as part of the Coast Watch, an organization involved in surveillance of incoming enemy airplanes. Alice stood post in a watch tower on Wilson Avenue. Alice is preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom as well as her parents and nine siblings. She is survived by her five children: Sheila Brossier, Patricia Wharton, Kathleen Sullivan, Thomas Keena Jr., and Eileen Burrous; four favorite son-in-laws: Paul Brossier, Tom Wharton, Timothy Sullivan, and Frank Burrous; eleven favorite grandchildren: Michael (Francine) Brossier, Kerry (Mike) Irvine, Katie (Aron) DeFerrari, Kelly (Matt) Sheridan, Steven Wharton, Sean (Christine) Sullivan, Allison Brossier, Jeffrey Keena, Michael (Chelsea) Keena, Stephanie Keena, and Brian Burrous; and six favorite great grandchildren: Ben, Henry, Avery, Evan, Estee, and Kara. In addition, Alice is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins including many in Novato and Northern Ireland. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on June 6, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at our Lady of Loretto Church in Novato. Burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Terra Linda. Donations in Alice's name may be made to the Novato Historical Guild, PO Box 1296 Novato, CA 94948-1296. Alice changed the lives of everyone that knew her. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. May the sound of happy music And the lilt of Irish laughter Fill your heart with gladness That stays forever after.