WATERBURY – On Friday, April 12, 2024, we all lost a really special woman, dedicated to her family and her community. Mrs. Lucille B. Keating, age 98, passed away peacefully at the Glendale Center in Naugatuck after a brief illness.
Mrs. Keating was born on March 23, 1926, in Waterbury, the daughter of the late Floyd Baldwin O’Dell and Minnie (Norris) O’Dell. She attended local schools and was a graduate of Leavenworth High School, class of 1943.
She first married Harold V. Newell, who tragically died in combat in World War II. Lucille then married Harold P. Keating Jr. who was a firefighter for the City of Waterbury. She began her working career at the Waterbury Clock Shop during the war than later, U.S. Time (Timex).
After her children were raised, she worked at A. W. Hayden, Michaels Jewelers, and retired from Lux, Bond & Green.
Lucille was a founder and instrumental in starting several organizations including the Waterbury Fire Auxiliary, which she chaired for many years as both her husband and son were members of the WFD and she also help start T.R.I.A.D. in Waterbury.
Lucille was a wise and caring citizen of Waterbury and her community, which was exemplified by her involvement in many civic organizations. She was an active member of the Waterbury Police and Fire Retirees, the South End Senior Center, St. Francis Senior Center and Prospect Senior Center.
A member of the Mill Plain AARP and a liaison to the Connecticut General Assembly, Lucille was the oldest living member of the VFW No. 201 Auxiliary. She loved bingo and trips to the casino and greatly enjoyed summers in Maine with her family. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church.
Our family thanks you Mom, for every prayer you uttered for us, for the many sacrifices you made for us, for thousands of hugs you shared with us and the unending love you instilled in all of us.
Mere words are but a feeble attempt to express our family’s gratitude for the care and love that all of the staff at Southmayd Home and the Glendale Center shared with Mom and all of us during her illness.
Left to honor her legacy and cherish her memory are her two sons, Gary Patrick Keating (retired battalion chief, Waterbury Fire Department) and his wife Judy of Waterbury, and Robert Dennis Keating and his wife Patti of Southington; her two granddaughters, Kelly Pinho and her husband Antonio, and Kacey Sullivan and her husband Ryan; her grandson, Shawn Keating and his wife Candace; four great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; as well as countless friends and extended family members.
Funeral services for Mrs. Keating will be on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 11 a.m. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, St. Leo the Great Church, 14 Bentwood Drive in Waterbury. All those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Keating family on Monday, April 22, 2024, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1987 E. Main St., Waterbury, CT 06705.
Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence or words of comfort, or share a memory of someone important to you, with your family and friends. Please visit the funeral home’s tribute page at caseyfunerals.com to do so.
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