Obituary of Ann F. Keenan

Ann F. Keenan Ann Finlay Keenan, mother of nine children, longtime resident of Olean and former science teacher at Olean Senior High School, died Sunday, March 12 at Cuba Memorial Hospital's Residential Health Care Facility. She was born September 14, 1926, a daughter of Robert and Anna Finlay. On August 21, 1948 at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean, she married Leo E. Keenan, Jr. Professor Keenan predeceased her in 2002. Her sister, Rita (Harry) Mullany, passed away in 1974. Mrs. Keenan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from D’Youville College in 1946 and a Master of Science degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1947. For more than 70 years, she was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Olean where she was a daily Communicant. She taught Earth Science at Olean Senior High School for more than 20 years, retiring in 1988. A gifted teacher, she helped draft questions for the annual Earth Science Regents examination. She was also moderator of the high school “It’s Academic” team and a member of the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System. Surviving are her nine children, Leo E. (Sharon) Keenan III of Newport News, Va.; Kathleen (John) Brewer of Olean; Judith (Joseph) Miller of Fairport; Robert (Jane) Keenan of Hinsdale; Maureen (Joseph) Keenan-!LeBoeuf of Cary, NC; Deirdre Ellis of Concord, Mass.; Constance (Joseph) Lowry of Shanghai, China; Eileen (Frank) Keenan-Skrobacz of Olean; Kevin (Deborah) Keenan of Tonawanda. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Keenan of Olean, wife of the late James C. Keenan, and Merrie Jo (Stephen) Dizek of Kettering, OH also survive Mrs. Keenan Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 at Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 West State Road (NYS Rte. 417 West) in Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 15 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Angels Church, Olean. Private burial services will be held at St. Bonaventure Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations, if desired, may be made in Mrs. Keenan’s name to St. Mary of the Angels Parish, Olean, or to the St. Bonaventure University golf team.