Louise Keene

Marian Louise Keene, otherwise known as “Sweet Mama,” passed away at the age of 90 on July 25, 2013. Louise was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina to the late Marion and Marie Segrest on January 15, 1923. She was an incredibly active woman, even up until the time of her passing, and had been greatly involved in her community. Louise loved her three "girls" and exhibited her love by a life legacy of integrity, compassion, and the Greatest Generation's work ethic. She was a devoted Army wife and shared the military responsibilities with her late husband, William D. Keene, during his thirty year career serving our country. She had a joyful, kind spirit and greeted strangers with a rare compassion and her beautiful smile. Louise had a passion for many things, including dancing, gardening, going on cruises, bowling, and of course, traveling the world. She was a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge 766, the Red Hatter Society, as well as the Orange Boating Club of Lake Jessup. Louise will be genuinely missed by all those who knew and could not help but love her.

Louise was preceded in her passing by her parents; husband, William Keene; brothers, Tom, Theo, W.L. “Dub,” and Robert Segrest; and sister, Frances Strickland. She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Ibbotson (Frank) of Florida; Lynda Meldeau (Tony) of California; and Helen Valente (Phil) of South Florida ; brother, Bill Segrest (Violet); sisters-in-law, Sally Segrest and Louise Segrest, all of Florida; 8 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Louise’s Life will be held at Carey Hand Cox-Parker Funeral Home on Saturday, August 3, at 2:00 PM.

Arrangements are under the care of Carey Hand Cox-Parker Funeral Home, 1350 West Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 647-1942, www.carey-handcox.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Louise’s memory to any of the following charities: Moose Charities at http://www.moosecharities.org/store/Wish/Tribute.php; the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=72&campaignSource=WEBSITE&company=&source=HONOR; or the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?11461.donation=form1&df_id=11461&pw_id=1821&JServSessionIdr004=owh22o76f1.app206b.