Webster - Marcelle C. (Jewell) Keane, 91, died peacefully at home with her family on Friday, January 27, 2012.
Marcelle was predeceased by her husband John Keane of Webster, her son Michael Keane of Phoenix, AZ, and her brother, Ernest Jewell of Southbridge. She is survived by four daughters: Marilyn Keane of Webster, Mary Keane-Hazzard and her husband Rob of Needham, Maureen Bottino and her husband Chris of Woodbury, CT, and Marcia Wagner and her husband Paul of North Andover; nine grandchildren: Brian, Lindsay, Erin, Meaghan, Desiree, Vanessa, John, Andrea, and Daniel; nine great-grandchildren; her daughter-in-law, Monica Keane of Phoenix, AZ; her sister-in-law, Rita Jewell of Southbridge; nieces, nephews, and several cousins.
Marcelle was born on January 16, 1921 in Webster to the late Cecile (Fontaine) Jewell and Stanley Jewell. She lived in Webster for her entire life.
Mrs. Keane lived an active, charitable and community-oriented life. Besides lovingly tending to and caring for the above mentioned family, she was a lifelong volunteer for many charities, civic and religious organizations. A graduate of the St. Louis High School, Class of 1939, she remained active in the school’s functions as an alumna, parent and fundraiser for most of her life. Marcelle was also extremely active in the St. Louis League of Catholic Women. She was a Past President, and she planned and participated in the social events, fundraising drives and volunteer activities of the organization. Her crafting and culinary skills brightened many of the church bazaars, and she was also active in the church’s ministries as a visitor and driver to the sick and homebound, as well as serving for many years as a Eucharist Minister.
Being from the WWII generation, Mrs. Keane was very involved with veterans’ affairs. She was active for many years in the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and was named a DAV Auxiliary Commander in 1952. She and her husband John, a VFW and DAV member himself, volunteered locally at events for those groups as well as making many hospital visits to the Soldiers’ Home/Veterans Hospital in Holyoke, MA.
Marcelle volunteered for her community at the former Hubbard Regional Hospital Gift Shop in Webster every other Tuesday for years. She also joined her dear friend of 80 years, Mrs. Veronica Burke of Dudley, in volunteering for the Catholic Charities organization in Southbridge, MA during the 1970s. She also served the community as a regular fundraising volunteer for the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association’s Neighbors Program.
In her spare time, Mrs. Keane enjoyed bowling, especially as a longtime member of the Mohegan Coffee League in Webster. As a seamstress and quilter, she often donated quilts and materials to organizations for raffles or for helping the homeless and veterans groups. An avid, lifelong gardener, she spent hours tending her gardens at her home, where she was joined by her equally dedicated gardening daughter, Marilyn. Marcelle created beautiful landscapes and floral displays into her 90th year.
Marcelle loved her family and friends deeply and treasured her time with all of them. She was a devout Catholic whose kind, gentle, and loving ways will be missed by all.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 31 from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St, with a Mass being celebrated at 10am in St. Louis Church, 14 Lake St. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Calling hours at the Funeral Home will be held Monday, January 30, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Donations can be made to the Visiting Angels, a home health care agency, at 255 Park Ave, Suite 1000, Worcester, MA 01609, the St. Louis School Endowment Fund, 15 Lake St, Webster, MA 01570, or Catholic Charities, 79 Elm St, Southbridge, MA 01550.