Rose Mary Keane (nee McGowan) passed away on November 2, 2024 at Cooper University Hospital, Camden NJ at the age of 82. Rose was the beloved wife of the late Jack Keane and the devoted daughter of the late Rose McGowan. She is survived by her cousins Pat Mathis, Raymond Mathis, Helen Diehl, Mark Mathis and a lineage of cousins of future generations. In addition to this family, Rose is also survived by a plethora of a “family of friends”.
Rose attended St Hubert High School and Villanova University. Starting her teaching career at St Bernard’s Catholic School, she spent the remaining years in education in the Philadelphia Public School System, first at Robert Morris and lastly at Jenks school where she served as Principal.
The character traits that Rose is best known for are her “giving to and caring for others”. Generosity could have been her middle name. Kiddingly, she was referred to as the “Queen” although not because she wanted to be treated as royalty. Rather, she lived up to that title by the way she treated others as royalty whether it be the homeless beggar on the street, the wait staff at a restaurant, the clerk at a store, or family and lifelong friends.
Her faith in God was a strong hold. When she was no longer able to navigate the entrances at the Cathedral for Mass, Mother Angelica and Pope Francis on the TV became her spiritual guides. Often times, she would get up at 5am to watch Mass from the Vatican which was truly a sacrifice because Rose was not an early riser. Rosaries were scattered throughout her home. She prayed that daily and you can be certain that we were always included in those prayers. It was her fervent belief in and love of the Lord which got her through her troubling times. In her later years, she carried her cross of pain and suffering so often without any complaints following in Jesus’s footsteps of His bearing of the cross.
All can agree that Rose will be immensely missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 642 Market Street, Camden NJ 08102, Our Lady of Consolation Church, 9 E. Chestnut Hill Ave, Philadelphia PA 19118, Oblates of St Francis, 2200 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington DE 19806, Sisters of Mercy, 515 Montgomery Avenue, Merion Station, PA 19066 OR Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Road, Mendham NJ 07945.
Services will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 642 Market Street, Camden NJ 08102. Viewing at the Cathedral will be from 9:00-10:00am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill.
At the request of the family, immediately following the burial, the family would like to have the time to privately gather together to reminisce, remember and celebrate Rose.
