Linda D. Keats

KEATS, LINDA D. (DARBY), 71, of Providence, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2008 at Hallworth House, Providence. She was the beloved wife of Lester B. Keats.

Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Lucille (Coller) Darby. She had lived in Barrington, Rumford, and Cranston until most recently living in Providence at Laurelmead. She was a past member of Edgewood Yacht Club and its Auxiliary, holding many offices in both. She was Past President of the Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital Auxiliary and a corporate member of Bradley Hospital. She was a board member and House Manager of the Barrington Players and a member of the Rhode Island Cerebral Palsy Telethon Committee serving as the telethon's Celebrity Chair from 1975 to 1993.

She and her husband were adoptive parents through Childreach since 1986, and a Rhode Island Meals on Wheels volunteer for 13 years. She volunteered also with the Friendly Visitor program from the Barrington Senior Center in 1999. She was a member of the Corporation of St. Andrew's School, Barrington.

She is survived by her husband, Lester B. Keats, her cousins, Sally Knowles, Barbara Norberg, Judie Lyte, Thelma Yeagley, and Dr. Anthony Darby.

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. in the Swan Point Cemetery Chapel. Burial will be private. Relatives and friends are invited and may call 10:30-11:30 a.m., prior to the service at Swan Point Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Arc of Blackstone Valley Memorial Fund, 115 Manton Street, Pawtucket, RI, 02861, would be appreciated. Arrangements by Costigan-O'Neill Funeral Home, Pawtucket. www.rifuneral.com