Helen Offinger Keegan

Helen was born in Hillside, New Jersey, October 31, 1918, daughter of Eva and Howard Offinger. She attended schools in Newark, New Jersey, and was valedictorian of her senior class at Barringer Academy of the Arts & Humanities. She won the Bamberger Medal for scholarship and leadership. Helen graduated from Montclair State University. She later received her master’s degree and took graduate courses at Florida State and University of Florida.

She married Robert F. Keegan in 1946, and moved to Jacksonville in 1953 when her husband was transferred to Jacksonville with Prudential Insurance Company. The Keegan’s raised three children: Judith M. Keegan, ESQ. in Montgomery, Alabama, where Helen has lived for the past few years; Robert F. Keegan, Jr. a Jacksonville architect; and Jeffrey M. Keegan, MD, a physician in Richmond, Virginia.

Helen and Bob traveled to 19 countries, were round dance competitors, played bridge, and were members of a supper club. Helen enjoyed AAUW meetings at San Jose Country Club, lunch and movies with friends, and was a wonderful knitter. She frequently was found with pen and crossword even up to her 100th year. Helen and Bob both volunteered after retirement at the Baptist Medical Center. As a family, they were founding members of San Jose Catholic Church.

In her work life, Mrs. Keegan was librarian at Robert E. Lee and Wolfson High Schools before becoming coordinator of government projects, ESEA title II and NDEA title IV for Duval County Schools. She became coordinator of educational media for the school system.

Helen is survived by her children: daughter, Judith M. Keegan (Barry R. Schneider), Montgomery, Alabama; son, Robert F. Keegan Jr., Jacksonville, Florida; and son, Jeffrey M. Keegan, (Mary Keegan), Richmond, Virginia. She has five grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Cheatham (Paulin Cheatham), Richmond, Virginia; Christopher Keegan (Casey Keegan), Richmond, Virginia; David Keegan, Annapolis, Maryland; Katherine Keegan (Timothy Keegan), Houston, Texas; Martha Keegan, Richmond, Virginia. She has three great grandchildren: Ridge Cheatham (Mary Elizabeth and Paulin Cheathem); and Maggie and Patrick Keegan (Christopher and Casey Keegan).

A private graveside service will be held at Jacksonville Memory Gardens.