Obituary of Margaret Patricia Keane

On January 30, 2023, we said goodbye to our feisty Irish aunt, Margaret Patricia Keane. She had a good 95+ year run keeping the conversations going and the family connected.

She could (and would) discuss fashion, current events, celebrities, royals, scandals and life in general. She was funny, sarcastic, often politically incorrect but always compassionate and understanding. She didn’t suffer fools lightly, but did feel sorry for “the poorbastards”.

Marge was born in Galway Ireland September 2, 1928. She was the 8th of 9 children born to Bartley and Kate Keane (nee Codyre) and raised on a working farm in the Barna area.

When she was in her early 20s she sailed for New York to join her 3 sisters who had emigrated earlier to the Bronx. She moved into a 4 floor walkupapartment in what was then a predominantly Irish neighborhood and lived there for 70 years. She commuted daily to Manhattan (in high heels) where she worked for American Express in the travelers check fraud department. Her co-workers were largely ex FBI agents and always had her back, but with her red hair and in-your-face-attitude, she was perfect for the job, and could hold her own. She made some wonderful friends and collected some great stories of folks trying to get away with travelers check theft, stories rife with inappropriate commentary. 

After her retirement, she kept busy with trips to the beach with her girlfriends (in later years, she referred to herself and compatriots as “the old bags”) and visiting her family in Ireland, England and all over the United States. She attended weddings, graduations, funerals and family vacations where ever and when ever they were happening. She made sure she was close to all her nieces and nephews and all of their kids as well. She called often and ensured that everyone was up to date on everyone else. She was the fun aunt atevery occasion. A legend to the younger generations. 

Marge was predeceased by all of her siblings and survived by numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews who think the world of her. She was the last of a wonderful generation of hard working, fun loving Keanes and we will miss her terribly. She gave life a good ride and we are all blessed to have known her.

Services will be at St. Brendan in the Bronx at 10 am on February 13, 2023. An Interment will follow at The Gate of Heaven in Westchester. At 1pm the family will host a reception at Rory Dolans at 890 McLean Ave in Yonkers. Friends are welcome to join.