Obituary of Rita C. Keenan

NATURAL BRIDGE – Rita C. Keenan, 91 formerly of Main St., died Friday morning at the Carthage Center Nursing Home where she had been a resident for a short time.

 

Born in Natural Bridge on July 20, 1926, the daughter of Harry and Grace McIntyre Simser; she was a graduate of the Carthage Augustinian Academy.  She married Elmer A. “Ozzie” Keenan, a World War II veteran, on May 7, 1948, which was later solemnized at St. James Catholic Church, Carthage in 1973.  Together, they owned and operated Keenan’s Grocery in Natural Bridge for 40 years.  Ozzie passed away on March 10, 2004.  She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society of the former St. Henry’s Church in Natural Bridge, a member of the Ave Maria Circle at St. James Church, Carthage, a former member of the Natural Bridge Fire Department Auxiliary, the Carthage Area Hospital Auxiliary and the Natural Bridge Civic Organization.

 

She is survived by her daughter and her husband, Mary Catherine & Christopher V. Cain, Watertown, 3 grandchildren; Lisa Pastor, North Carolina, Leslie Burnash, Maryland and David Cain, Maryland, 5 great grandchildren and her sister in law, Mary Jean Simser.  She is predeceased by her husband and her son David and daughter Karen Joanne who died as infants, as well as her siblings, Lyle, Paul, Gilda, George and Robert.

 

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 8^th at St. James Catholic Church, Carthage, with the Rev. Donald Robinson, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Carthage.  Calling hours will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Monday, May 7th at the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St., Carthage. 

 

Memorial donations may be made to the Carthage Augustinian Academy or the St. James Church, 327 West St., Carthage, NY 13619.  Online condolences may be made at www.lundyfuneralhome.com

 

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