Elizabeth Ann 'Betty' Lupacchino McKeen

1928 - 2016

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Lupacchino McKeen, age 87, passed away at St. Charles/Unity Nursing and Rehab Center in New Orleans, LA on May 6, 2016. Born in Manchester CT on July 12, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Angela Maria (Pontillo) Lupacchino. She was the wife of Kenneth A. McKeen who predeceased her in 1993. Elizabeth was a graduate of St. James School and a 1946 graduate of Manchester High School where she was on the volley ball team and an avid duckpin bowler. In her teens she worked at McLellan Variety Store at 974 Main Street managing the confectionery counter, and was an usherette and worked the concession counter at The Circle Theater at 16 Oak Street. She was later employed as a long distance operator at the switching center of The Southern New England Telephone Company (SNETCO) at 52 East Center Street in Manchester CT. She is a veteran of the United States Air Force where she served as a communications operator. She and her husband Kenneth traveled extensively in Hollywood FL and Pasadena CA before settling in New Orleans LA. She was a resident of St. Charles/Unity Nursing and Rehab Center in New Orleans for the past 20 years. While in New Orleans, she survived two devastating hurricanes, Katrina on August 29, 2005 and Gustav on September 1, 2008. During both hurricanes she and her fellow residents were safely evacuated to Lakewood Quarters Nursing and Rehab Center, a sister facility in Baton Rouge LA. They returned to New Orleans when it was determined safe to do so. Her former residence on Chef Menteur Highway, which she shared with her husband Kenneth, was completely destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by two brothers, Clement L. Lupacchino, John J. Lupacchino, a sister Philomena Kaszowski, a half-brother Joseph J. Lubeck and three half-sisters Frances Balch, Mary Kearns and Philomena Lupacchino. She is survived by her younger brother and only living sibling, Anthony Daniel Lupacchino and his wife Joan of Meriden CT, along with several nieces and nephews. Providing guidance and coordinating with doctors and staff of St. Charles/Unity Nursing and Rehab Center, her needs and affairs were handled by her brother Anthony Daniel Lupacchino. Not having any close family members in New Orleans, she looked forward with happiness and joy to the annual visits by her brother, her nephew and godchild Anthony Thomas Lupacchino of Rocky Hill CT. Special thanks to Canon Hospice, St. Charles/Unity Nursing and Rehab Center, Touro Hospital and the doctors, nurses, aides, social workers and chaplains, who took care of Elizabeth's needs while under their care. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016 at St. Paul The Apostle Church, 6828 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans, LA beginning at 10:00 AM with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial with military honors and alongside her husband will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, 10400 Old Gentilly Road, New Orleans, LA. The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.