Tag Archives: Keays

Bonnie Marie Keays, known affectionately as Marie, embarked peacefully upon her final journey on January 31st, 2025, surrounded by her family that she treasured above all else. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, gentleness, and unconditional love; an unforgettable impression on everyone who had the privilege to know her.

Marie is survived by her loving husband Robert, their three daughters Patti Corbin (Jack), Christine Barker (David), and Rene McGuire (Rick), and four granddaughters Jenna Barker (Robert Brisbin), Jessica Corbin (Kyle McMahon), Erika Taylor (Corey), and Justine Taylor(Ryan DeSantis), whom she loved “to the moon and back.”  She is also survived by her beloved sisters and brother, Madlyn Sanders, Patricia Harrington and Billy Cenate (Leigh). She was preceded in her journey by her mother, father, and brothers, Marvin McCabe, John, Joseph and Michael Cenate, whose memories she carried like precious keepsakes.

Marie was born on September 5th, 1942, in Fair Haven, Vermont, to the late Joseph and Mary Mae Cenate, whom she adored. She spent the early part of her childhood running and playing on her family’s farm in Bacon Hill with her brothers and sisters, before moving to Hudson Falls, New York where she attended Hudson Falls High School and more importantly, the weekly Durkeetown Barn dances, her favorite hangout.

Marie enjoyed 30 years at NAMIC/Boston Scientific, where she made long-lasting friendships and was valued for her kind nature and devoted work ethic, even returning part-time after her retirement. However, her biggest passion and pride in life was her family, and her favorite job was being “Mama.”

At the age of 13, she met her soulmate, Robert Keays, who unsurprisingly fell in love with her at first sight. They married on September 11th, 1960 and spent 70 years together completely inseparable; their lives a dance of mutual respect, devotion and unwavering support. Together, they built a family that fulfilled their shared dream, and a home where warmth and affection were abundant.

At Mama’s house, the door was always open, and everyone was welcome. Her dining room table was a place where her family and friends could always find her to catch up, share stories, and most likely, be fed. She found joy in family gatherings and celebrations, preparing meals, tending to her garden (especially cucumbers), and the simple pleasures of watching her favorite soaps, knitting, or watching the birds. She shared a love for music with her husband, filling their home with melodies that played in the background of Marie’s life.

The unbreakable bonds she cultivated with her daughters and granddaughters provided a forever home throughout all seasons of their lives, never straying too far for too long from their loving Mama, a title that embodied the depth of her nurturing soul.

She had an adventurous spirit, traveling to places such as Hampton Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Ocean City, MD, Boston, Ithaca, and many other places where memories with loved ones were made.

To know Marie was to know love in its purest form. She was the most loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Her ability to make each person in her life feel special and shine a light on their best selves set her apart as a beacon of comfort and warmth. She treated everyone in her life like a unique flower, nurtured endlessly by her gentle care, and all left here on Earth to keep her beautiful memory alive and carry on her legacy.

Let her life be a reminder that every day is an opportunity to dance, to laugh, to embrace our loved ones, and to find beauty in the simplest of things. In her honor, may we all strive to be the most loving version of ourselves, to create a legacy as rich and as meaningful as the one she leaves behind.

At Marie’s request, there will be no calling hours. A celebration of life will be held in the spring, when the lilacs are blooming.

HUDSON FALLS – Joyce J. Keays, 60, of Hudson Falls, passed away Saturday at Glens Falls Hospital. 

Born January 5, 1956, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of Viola (Reynolds Martindale and the Late Otis Martindale. 

Joyce married David Keays in June of 1991. 

She enjoyed crafts, making blankets, and cross stitching. She loved long rides to Vermont, and vacationing with her children and grandchildren. 

In addition to her father, Joyce was predeceased by her brother, Norman Martindale; and her father and Mother in-law, John and Elaine Keays. 

Joyce is survived by her husband, David Keays; her mother, Viola Martindale; her son, Terry Keays of Hudson Falls; her daughters, Kimberlee Keays-Loffler and her Fiancé, Rob Phelps of South Glens Falls, and Maeghan Smith and her husband, Chris of South Glens Falls; her step-son, Christian Keays and his wife, Becky of Kent, Washington; her grandchildren, Madyson Keays, Adelynn Keays, Brianna Loffler, David Phelps, Robert Phelps, Andrew Phelps, Brendon Smith, Killian Keays, Oliver Keays, and Ruby Keays; her sisters, Beverly Whiting of South Carolina, Arlene Austin of Glens Falls, Gwen Thomas and her husband, Wayne of Queensbury, and Glenda Wadleigh and her husband, Alan of Glens Falls, her brother, Buscom Elms of Hudson Falls; her brothers and sisters in-law, John Keays of Florida, Donna Keays of South Glens Falls, and Paul Keays and his wife, Debbie of Hudson Falls; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by her loving dog Hannah. 

Joyce’s family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, especially Jean VanAuken, Dr. Pillemer and Dr. Sponzo as well as the nursing staff at Tower 2, Floor 2. 

Friends may call on Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., at 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls. 

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home with the Rev. William Church, Associate pastor of Pine Knolls Alliance Church, officiating. 

Interment will follow at Glens Falls Cemetery on Bay St. in Glens Falls. 

Donations can be made in Joyce’s name to South High Marathon Dance, 42 Merritt Road South Glens Falls, NY 12803.

HUDSON FALLS – Louise A. Keays, 84, of Elm Street, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at the Glens Falls Hospital, after a long illness.

Born in North Norwich, NY, she was the daughter of the late George and Marjorie (Alysworth) Parks.

Louise graduated from Sherburne High School.  On May 15, 1955, Louise married Richard F. Keays in Norwich, NY. He passed away on October 26, 2008, after 53 years of marriage.

Louise was an avid reader and also loved boating and fishing on Schroon Lake.  When her husband was alive, they enjoyed many wonderful vacations.

Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Mary Bukovec.

Louise is survived by her sons, Michael T. Keays and his wife, Betsy of Hudson Falls and Christopher R. Keays and his wife, May of Alpharetta, GA; two grandchildren, Derek Keays of Queensbury and Rebecca Keays of Decatur GA; her sisters, Betty Palaka of Venice, FL, Beverly Boen and her husband James of Englewood, Florida, Dorothy Gale and her husband, Lee of Ormand Beach, FL, JoAnne Conklin and her husband, Michael of Charlotte, NC and Bonnie Burnette and her husband Fred of Venice, Florida; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends may call from 12 noon until 2 p.m. Monday at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls.

Funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. (following the calling hours) on Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donald Shuler, officiating.

The Rite of Committal will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in the town of Kingsbury.

Memorial donations in Louise’s memory may be made to Parkinsons Disease Research Fund of AMC, 215 Washington Ave. Extension, lbany, NY 12205

GANSEVOORT – Elaine Alice Keays, 89, a longtime Gansevoort resident, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at Fort Hudson Health Care Facility in Fort Edward.

Our much beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Elaine Alicia Keays (Garnsey) of Gansevoort, passed away peacefully Tuesday February 10^th at the age of 89.

Elaine was born on February 25^th 1925, to the late Benjamin Garnsey and Delta Garnsey (Champoux). Her mother passed away nearly a year after her birth so she was taken in by family and raised  on a small dairy farm in Northumberland . She flourished on “The Farm” and had many fond memories that her stories could attest to.

In her early years, Elaine loved to dance. She would attend many “Barn” dances held throughout Northumberland and the Washington County area. At one of those fateful dances she met the love of her life, John “Skipper” Keays. World War Two broke out not too long after they met. Elaine spent these years caring for her “Ma and Pa” on the farm and working at the Watervliet Arsenal, but always waiting to be reunited with her beloved Skipper. John and Elaine were married April 28^th, 1946.

She had many loves throughout her life but none as important as her family. She thrived raising and caring for her four children, eight grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. She wouldn’t stop with just immediate family though. Friends and friends of her family were always welcomed with an open heart and usually left with a full belly. In her later years she enjoyed going for rides with Skipper, garage sale-ing, and putting around the yard.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband John J. Keays and sister Donna Leonard.

She is survived by her sister Doris Ross, her beloved children, David Keays and his wife, Joyce of Gansevoort, John “Jack” Keays of Deerefield Beach Fl., Donna Keays of South Glens Falls, and Paul Keays and his wife, Deborah of Hudson Falls; her loving grandchildren Christian Keays and his wife, Becci, Meaghan Smith and her husband, Chris, Terry Keays and his partner, Andrea Leombruno, Kimberlee Keays-Loffler and her fiancé, Rob Phelps, Wesley Keays and his wife, Erica, Joelle Russo, Jeffery Keays, and Pauly Keays. She is also survived by her fourteen great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Calling hours will be held from 10-11:30am at Carleton Funeral home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls.

A prayer will be said for Elaine at 11:30 on Tuesday, following the calling hours, with the Reverend Thomas Babiuch, officiating.

This will be followed by a burial at 2 p.m.  at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. A small celebration of her life will follow.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Fort Hudson Nursing home for their compassionate care over the last few months. We would also like to give heartfelt thanks to her immediate family that made it possible for her to remain home for as long as possible.