Obituary of Elizabeth Woods Keenan

Elizabeth (“Betty”) Woods Keenan, born June 14, 1937 in Corby, Northamptonshire UK, passed away peacefully at home in Houston on June 16, 2020. Betty was preceded in death by parents William and Mary Mason, beloved husband Harry Keenan and son Paul Francis Keenan, as well as siblings Arthur Mason and Margaret Williams and husband Frank. She is survived by her brother Thomas Mason, her children Claire Goodrum and husband Chris, Margaret Keenan, Julia Melendez and husband Roberto, and Christopher Keenan, as well as ten grandchildren and their spouses, 18 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. A lifelong devout Catholic, she was a kind and gentle soul with a quiet strength that helped her guide, support and protect her family. She had a great passion for music, literature and cooking that all of her children inherited. She was the centerpiece of her family and could always be counted on for love, support, and guidance, no matter what. Betty had a beautiful warm smile and was very quick-witted. She also had a very funny and goofy side, including a penchant for improvising a song to fit any and every occasion…and yes, some of us inherited that trait! She was an avid reader and a lover of great music, especially the classics. She loved going to the symphony and listening to opera music, often accompanying her favorite arias with her own beautiful voice. Nothing made her happier than spending time cooking or baking for her family, and nobody loved cuddling a baby more than “Nanny”. She loved to travel with Harry and had hoped to do much more of it in their retirement years. What many of our younger family members didn’t know is that Betty was an early activist and strong supporter of women’s rights, and she was the shop steward of her local union. She was quite a trailblazer working outside the home when it was not as common as it is today. She was passionate about social justice and human rights and instilled in her children strong core values including a sense of right and wrong, and human kindness. She has left an indelible mark on each one of us. She was devoted to her husband Harry, and the family takes great comfort knowing she is now happily reunited in in heaven with her love. “…and when our journey is at its end I’ll be beside my love, my friend…” Services for Betty will be held Tuesday June 23 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 5438 Laurel Creek Way, Houston, Texas 77017. The visitation will begin at 10:00 am with the funeral mass following at 11:00 am. The interment will follow the mass immediately thereafter at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Alzheimer Foundation of America, the American Heart Association for stroke research, or to St. Augustine Catholic Church.