Former Wrangell resident Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Twitchell Keegan, 90, passed away on March 31 in Moses Lake, Washington, following complications of a stroke.
She was born April 19, 1932. As a child, Betty and her mother traveled the Lower 48 following Betty's father from Seattle to San Diego and Miami with stops in between while he served as a career sailor in the U.S. Navy. During World War II, Betty and her mother lived with her grandmother in Wilkeson, Washington, when her father fought in the Pacific Theater of the war.
It was in nearby Auburn, Washington, where Betty met Dwight at a local skating rink, fell in love, and married in 1950.
As a young family, the Keegans lived in several locations in Washington before buying a farm in Soap Lake, where they intended to settle down - "until the call of the north brought them to Alaska and their beloved Wrangell," her family wrote.
Betty and her family moved to Wrangell in 1973, living here for 44 years. In Wrangell, she raised two daughters, worked at the Medical Center, and then later managed the Wrangell Senior Apartments.
She was active in the Wrangell Community Church of God, was an avid reader, loved sewing, quilting and gardening. "Betty and her husband enjoyed lunches at the senior center where they could partake in a warm meal and visit with friends. She adored her grandchildren and kept her door open for breakfast or afterschool TV and snacks."
In 2017, Betty and Dwight moved to Palmer to live closer to their youngest daughter and great grandchildren.
Betty is preceded in death by her 3-year-old daughter Kathleen (1956), and husband Dwight (2018.)
She is survived by five children, Dwight J. Keegan, of Chelan, Washington; Pat M. Keegan, of Soap Lake, Washington; Peggy J. Campbell, of Gladstone, Oregon; and Alaskans Beth A. Comstock, of Douglas; and Kathryn S. Hays, of Butte. She also leaves behind 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
"A small graveside service is planned on July 15 in Wilkeson, Washington, where she and her husband Dwight will end their travels."
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