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NANUET, N.Y.—Longtime resident Rita Josephine (Lockatell) Keahon, 86, died Nov. 16 at her home.
Keahon was born on Jan.18, 1929 in Fairview, N.J., to Josephine (Eberhart) and Peter Lockatell, the youngest of three children.
On May 30, 1952, she married John Keahon at St. Joseph's Church in Spring Valley, NY. They built their home with the help of family and friends and moved to Nanuet in 1955, where they have lived ever since, raising their six children. She is survived by her husband, John of 63 years, her six children, Jeanne (Bill Moon) of Treadwell, John (Nancy) of Pearl River, James (Barbara) of Pearl River, Thomas (Galena) of Chester, Rita (Joseph Saxton) of Nanuet, and Andrew (Kara) of Stony Point,. She has15 grandchildren: Elizabeth, Emma and Nate Moon; Katie (Kevin) Mercurio; Christopher Keahon; James and Brianne Keahon, Thomas, Joseph (Teresa) Keahon, and Stephen (Christine) Keahon, Joseph, Ciara and Kevin Saxton, and Jena and Amanda Keahon. Her 6 great-grandchildren include Madeline and Finley Keahon, Avery Mercurio, and Mikey, Benjamin and Juliet Keahon.
She is also survived by her sister, Anne Smith of Washingtonville, and a brother, Peter Lockatell of Westminster, Md, brother-in-law Noel (Catherine) Keahon of Nanuet, and sister-in-law Margaret Keahon of Pearl River, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rita is predeceased by her parents, Josephine and Peter Lockatell.
Keahon was educated and graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1946.
She worked for MetLife insurance company before starting her family. She was a member of St. Margaret of Antioch Church, and was an active member of the Rockland County Mothers of Twins Club. She was honored with Life Membership for being a Charter Member when it was established in 1969. She worked as an Election Inspector for the Town of Clarkstown for over 46 years. She enjoyed traveling, nature, and gardening, and especially her family.
A Mass of Christian burial is at St. Margaret of Antioch Church in Pearl River on Friday, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Frederick Loescher Veteran's Cemetery in New Hempstead. Calling hours are Thursday, Nov. 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wyman Fisher Funeral Home, 100 Franklin Ave. in Pearl River. In lieu of flowers, friends may send memorial donations to United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane New City, NY 10956 or Alzheimer's Foundation 301 N. Main St. #7 New City, NY 10956.
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