Suzanne Dora Keenan

Suzanne Dora (Mason) Keenan, age 100, passed away on July 13, 2024, at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA. She was the spouse of the late William Carrol Keenan, with whom she shared 39 years of marriage. Born on September 2, 1923, in Saginaw, MI, she was the daughter of the late Dr. William JB Mason, DDS and the late Dora (Schulz) Mason. Her home at 920 Adams in Saginaw was built by her grandfather, George Schulz, in the late 1800s. It was always filled with relatives and friends, many of whom remained life-long friends. Family summers were spent at a cabin on the Au Sable River near Grayling, MI where Suzanne and her brother, Bill enjoyed canoeing and swimming. She attended Arthur Hill High School and then the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where she earned a Master’s Degree in Zoology and Botany. While teaching high-school students in Detroit she began dating her future husband, William Carroll Keenan.

Suzanne and William (Bill) Keenan married on July 10, 1948, at her home in Saginaw. During Bill’s lifelong career with the DuPont Company, they raised four children while living in Detroit, Cincinnati, Wilmington, Chicago, and Atlanta. After the children were on their own, they moved to San Francisco and then their final home together on South Fairville Road in Chadds Ford, PA, until Bill’s passing in 1988. Suzanne was always a calm and steadying influence on her children during the family's many relocations and in each home she demonstrated a lovely sense of color and design and the ability to decorate. She maintained a wonderful sense of humor even in the most difficult circumstances.

Suzanne was actively engaged in the many communities where she lived. In Atlanta, she was president of The League of Women Voters. In California, she spent several years as a piano accompanist for various musicals performed in the public school system. In Delaware, she was an honored volunteer at the Ashland Nature Center leading school group tours and teaching about wildlife. For many years she attended the Osher Life Long Learning Academy in Wilmington, DE, taking classes in poetry, Shakespeare, history, and political science. She was an avid reader and books were a constant companion in her life. She frequently enjoyed discussing books with her daughter, Susan Linden. She also loved music and found delight in listening to her grandson, Noah Linden, play the classical piano. She was a member of the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE, where she attended weekly bible study luncheons and Sunday services.

In 2002, Suzanne expressed a desire to continue to live in her home in Chadds Ford, PA. Her son-in-law, Richard Kairer, quickly designed and built a beautiful in-law suite for her. Suzanne along with her daughter, Beth, and Richard loved living together for the next 18 years. They shared their home with their beloved Norwich Terrier dogs, Clarissa, Clark, and Emma. Suzanne’s lifelong love of nature was always apparent, as she sat outside enjoying the view, watching the birds, deer, and foxes, and taking in the wonderful trees on the property. Rich passed in 2020 but Suzanne and Beth were able to continue to live at Fairville Road until 2022 when Suzanne moved to assisted living in West Chester, PA. 

Starting in her 60’s, Suzanne traveled abroad to Africa, Alaska, Geneva, London, Zurich, Mexico, Greece,  Paris, the Virgin Islands, and Peru where she hiked up Machu Picchu! Her European visits were to stay with her daughter, Ann, Ann's husband, Andrew Barrett, and their daughters. Suzanne always returned home raving about Andrew’s cooking.

Summer vacations throughout Suzanne’s adult life were spent visiting her immediate family, her brother, Dr. Bill Mason, and many friends in the lovely resort of Old Mission, Michigan. She felt very fortunate to be able to visit her children and grandchildren in New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, and Maine.

Our wonderful memories of Suzanne and her life will bring comfort to us now and always. She was truly a special lady to all who knew her. We will often envision her peacefully walking among nature, sporting one of her favorite hats, or taking a dip in the cool, clear waters of Lake Michigan in Old Mission, MI. May you rest in peace, Suzanne……you will always be forever in our hearts. 

A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 101 Old Kennett Road, Wilmington, DE 19807.  There will be a light lunch served afterwards.  If you will be joining the family for lunch, please RSVP to Susan Linden: Slinden202@gmail.com or Beth Kairer at 484-723-3646.  

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Delaware Nature Society. Online:  https://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/ or by phone: (302) 239-2334

Suzanne is survived by her daughters, Susan Linden (Lenny), Beth Kairer, Ann Barrett (Andrew); and son, Steve Keenan (Sandy); grandsons, Noah and Peter Linden; granddaughters, Dr’s Alison Smith (Josh), Suzanne Keenan, Cara Barrett (Ben Clymer), and Grace Barrett; great-grandchildren, Hannah and Morgan Smith, and Georgie and Oliver Clymer. She was predeceased by her husband, William C. Keenan, brother, Dr. William JB Mason, granddaughter, Amelia C. Barrett, and son-in-law, Richard Kairer.  

Arrangements are by Mathew Grieco and Carin Bonifacino of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (Ph 484-734-8100) of Kennett Square, PA. Suzanne’s family wishes to thank both Matt and Carin for their support. To view Suzanne’s online obituary and leave condolences, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.