Jeanne Priest Keating

Jeanne Priest Keating, 85, passed away on Saturday, August 1st, 2015 in Newport, RI, surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Edward S. Keating of Middletown, RI, and her six beloved daughters and sons-in-law: Keri and Jay Ricci of Cherry Hill, NJ; Patricia and Daniel Ryan of Los Angeles, CA; Maureen and Kip Kidwell of Fort Walton Beach, FL; Nancy and Fred Levine of Carlsbad, CA; Kathleen and Martin Kits Van Heyningen of Newport, RI; and, Laurie and Dan Elliot of Newport RI. She is also survived by nine adoring grandchildren and six precious great-grandchildren.Born on May 14th, 1930 in Jackson, Missouri, Jeanne was the cherished daughter of the late John and Willa Priest (ne Ware). It was as a child exploring the Missouri farmland that her life-long appreciation of the natural world was formed, and in her father's clothing store that her sense of style was developed. She attended the University of Wisconsin where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and named as a "Badger Beauty". While there she met her Ed, and the two were married on November 25th, 1950.Jeanne lived briefly in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, and happily spent most of her life in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. It was there that she raised her family and enjoyed years of close friendships, famous 4th of July parties, and fellowship at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She and Ed relocated to Newport, RI in 2003. She enjoyed traveling around the world and her sense of adventure was keen - visiting all 50 states, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, and many places in between.Jeanne was inventive, determined, spiritual, gentle, magnetic, and beautiful. She leaves a legacy of creativity behind her. She was an artist; with watercolors, plants, and in the kitchen. She loved nature. She tended to it in her incredible and bountiful gardens. She went back to it at the sea, where she instilled her children and grandchildren with admiration for all of God's creatures. She had a true gift to connect with all children and taught those with special needs at Manchester Memorial.Known as "Jeannie" to her husband, "Mummy" to her daughters and "Gramma" to her grandchildren, Jeanne will be sorely missed by her family, as well as many dear friends.Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Audubon Society at www.audubon.org or Reading Is Fundamental at www.rif.org.