Lillian Mae Keveney

Lillian Mae Keveney (Thomas), 93, of Casper, Wyoming passed away on February 11, 2015 at Lifecare Center of Casper. She was born January 14, 1922, the second of five children to Alphonso and Anna Thomas (Diaz) in Plymouth, Massachusetts. As a child, Lillian moved with her family to Michigan and graduated from Riverview (Smith) High School in 1939. During World War II, Lillian worked at Robert's Brass, a factory in Detroit that made parts for weapons. During this time, she met and married Albert Beville and they had a daughter, Diane. Soon after, they divorced and she married Edward Keveney. They had three children; Colleen, Eddie, and Maureen. When her youngest went to school, Lillian began working in the Schafer High School cafeteria. Later she worked at Southgate High School where over the next 25 years, she made many life-long friends.

St Pius Catholic Church was a very important part of Lillian's life and she devoted her time to lectoring and singing in the choir. At the age of 56, she lost her dear husband, Ed, and the church activities and her grandchildren helped get her through this difficult time. Lillian loved to read and passed that love of books to her children. She enjoyed working with her hands and knitted and crocheted afghans for herself and her family. Movies were a passion of hers, especially musicals, and because of her, Lillian's children and grandchildren developed a deep appreciation for the cinema and the movie star era of the 30's, 40's and 50's. She especially enjoyed singing and had a lovely voice. As a child, Lillian traveled by bus with her mother to Detroit, where she sang on the Kiddie Carnival Radio program. That love of singing led her to community theater and the Southgate Community Players. In her 40's and 50's, she sang in productions of Music Man, Sound of Music and Sister Act.

At the age of 83, Lillian moved to Casper, Wyoming to live with her daughter Diane and was active in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church choir. She also performed for local nursing homes as a member of The Meadowlarks.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband Ed Keveney, her sister Mildred Harmon and brother Ed Thomas. She is survived by her sister Martha Bowen and her brother Richard Thomas. Lillian leaves behind her children, Diane, Colleen (Butch), Eddie (Pat) and Maureen (Steve). Nine grandchildren; Darla, Jim, Elizabeth, Drew, Corey, Matt, Caitlin, Eddie and Mike. Three great-grandchildren; Chance, Elizabeth and Aiden and many nieces and nephews.

Lillian was a wonderful mother and grandmother (aka Nana), a kind soul and sweet and beautiful person who will be missed by all who knew her.

Many thanks to Lifecare Center and the dedicated people who cared for and cared about our mother, Lillian.