Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

September 9, 1936 - January 22, 2017

Keating, Jane Minerva (Apple) Peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 22 at the age of 80. Jane's three children, Kimberly Jane Wohlford (Bob), Lynne Anne McCreanor (Kevin) and George Patrick Keating, were by their mother's side reveling her with stories of a life well lived.

She was born September 9, 1936 in Albany, NY to the late Charlotte Mary (Martin) and George Ronan Apple. She is preceded in death by her brother Henry Ronan Apple and her husband of 32 years, George Thomas Keating (November 30, 1989). Jane was blessed with 5 grandchildren - Ryan Eckenrode (Amanda), Vanessa Eckenrode, Steven Eckenrode, Katie McCreanor and Colleen McCreanor and 2 great grandchildren - Adelyn Jane and Leanna Eckenrode.

Jane graduated from Vincentian Institute and attended Albany Business College before going to work for Shell Oil. As a young woman, she modeled and occasionally traveled to NYC to sing on a radio show. These interests followed into her adult life as she sang in the choir at St. Thomas a Becket Church in Jefferson Hills. She was known for her impeccable sense of fashion with an eye for accessories. Her home reflected this same sense of style and class.

Jane had a deep love for animals and welcomed many pets into her home over the years: dogs, birds, tropical fish, a turtle, baby chicks and rabbit. Her dream had been to study veterinary medicine, but when she became a mother she stepped into the role of housewife in keeping with the cultural expectations of the 1950's. However, this did not keep her from embracing her gift as a healer to animals.

Jane will be remembered as an excellent cook and hostess. There was never a shortage of delicious food in her home. She was known to add her own signature to recipes by introducing a secret herbal ingredient. The many parties she and her husband hosted while living in Pleasant Hills are still spoken of today. There were Super Bowl, Birthday, Graduation and St. Patrick's Day parties to name a few, but memories of the annual Christmas Eve Open House will remain the most cherished.

Before the crippling effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis took their toll on Jane, she led a very active life. She served as an officer on the PTA, played bridge, belonged to a bowling league, and as an avid golfer was a member of a woman's golf league. Most of all she loved the water: whether boating at a lake, wading in the ocean or swimming in a pool - Jane was happiest in the sun and near water. She traveled extensively for the pure adventure of it and to visit family and friends. From New York to California and several states in between - as well as Hawaii - wherever Jane went she always made new friends.

A private service is being held on Monday at Queen of Heaven Cemetery where she will be laid to rest. Arrangements made with the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Arthritis National Research Foundation - E. 2nd Street, Suite 201, Long Beach, CA 90803 in her name. Please go to this link: http://www.curearthritis.org/donate then click open Honorary Gifts and specify RA from the drop down menu. Add Jane Keating and select the amount.