Sister Alice Keenan

Sister Alice Keenan, SSL 1934 - 2024

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Sr. Alice Keenan, SSL, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 13, at 9:37 am.

Sr. Alice was born of Thomas and Alice Keenan on September 24, 1934, in Sreenty, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. Alice worked for about five years prior to entering the Sisters of St. Louis in 1957. A short three years later she came to the USA and began teaching in St. Louis of France, La Puente. In 1967 Alice completed her BA while residing at Holy Name of Mary. Then in 1969 she was asked to go to St. Robert in Sacramento to the SSL Community there. Alice was fearless – always willing to accept a new assignment wherever she was needed.

Alice was in St. Robert’s for four years. During that time she became aware of the desire to focus on religious education, especially for adults. Alice went to the Oblate College of the Southwest in San Antonio, Texas, where she earned her Master of Theological Studies in Biblical Studies in 1978. Over the next eight years Alice used these skills in Nativity, El Monte; St. Paschal Baylon, Thousand Oaks; and St. Louis of France, La Puente. From 1993 to 1995 Alice was awarded a London Richmond Fellowship which resulted in a Human Relations Diploma. This led Alice to teaching in the LA Unified School District; then being a chaplain at Methodist Hospital, Arcadia. In 2003 Alice retired to Gold Star Manor in Long Beach.

Still willing to accept a new challenge, Alice went to the new foundation in New York for two years from 2011 to 2013. Upon her return from there it was easy to see she was experiencing some confusion. She lived in St. Mel’s, Woodland Hills; then transferred up the hill to Louisville Convent. That became dangerous for her when she climbed over the wall at the back of the Chapel to pick flowers on the canyon side of the wall. She saw no danger in that – sure she would never fall.

As Alice grew more confused, she moved to St. Jude’s Elder Care. It is very appropriate that her cremated remains will be buried in her home parish – through the last number of years she was convinced she was in Sreenty and her home was just around the corner. She was also sure that Uncle Barney was living on the third floor of our two-story building!

Alice fell on May 11 and broke both her legs. That was the beginning of her decline. May she rest in peace, or dance with the angels if that’s her wish, and may all who love her be consoled and comforted.

The Funeral Mass will be at Holy Name of Mary Church in San Dimas at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 27. It will be live-streamed – the link will be posted soon.