Pat KEENER

KEENER, Pat "When time comes for us to again rejoin the infinite stream of water flowing to and from the great timeless ocean, our little droplet of soulful water will once again flow with the endless stream."-William E. Marks In the early morning hours of July 8, 2010 surrounded by her children, Terrah, Jeff, and Shelia, Pat peacefully passed on. Pat was a "big" and vibrant presence and she will be lovingly missed by her family, friends and community. Additionally the UCONN women's basketball team has lost their most devoted fan; the family is even thinking of inviting Christie's Auction House to appraise her Women's Husky memorabilia. Pat believed in experiencing life to its fullest, taking an active role in her community, enjoying the company of family and friends, seeing the world but ever vigilant to leave the smallest ecological footprint possible. She has left this a better world for us and generations to come as a result of her passionate commitment to protecting our rivers, wetlands, forests and our natural and native plant life. She will also be remembered by many for her strong beliefs and commitment to education. Pat was a veracious reader and she was instrumental in the vision and the creation of The Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library in New Hartford. Her love of books is something she has passed on to her grandchildren and she could often be seen sitting and reading with them. A testament to a life well lived is often what is left behind when a person passes. We celebrate Pat's BIG life and the world she has left for us. In her professional life Pat will be most remembered for her work as a special education teacher and administrator with Shared Services and Northwest Regional 7 High School. She was also very proud of her work as an instructor with the department of Psychology at Northwest Connecticut Community College. As a community activist Pat will be remembered for her passion and tireless work with the Farmington River Coordinating Committee (FRCC), the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA), the Inland Wetlands Commission, the New Hartford Conservation Commission, Open Space Planning, the River Network, The Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library, CPTV, and the many other social and political initiatives and projects that she attached her star to. Pat is survived by her three children and four grandchildren. Terrah Keener and her spouse Pattie LaCroix and their two sons, Ellis and Damen of Halifax, Nova Scotia; her son Jeffrey Keener and his wife Janet and their daughter Erin of Granby, CT; and her daughter Shelia McManus and her husband Steve and their son Iain of Marion, MA. Pat leaves many, many dear friends to mourn her loss. She will be greatly missed by the community and the friends and family she loved. A memorial to celebrate her life and work will be held on Saturday (July 17, 2010) at Squires Tavern, 100 East River Road Pleasant Valley, CT 2-4 p.m. To honor Pat's legacy donations made be made to the Pat Keener Scholarship fund awarded to a high school or college student from one of the five riverfront towns (Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Hartland and New Hartford) going on to college to study environmental science. Contact www.farmingtonriver.org. As well an outdoor sculpture, framing the Farmington River has been conceived to honor and recognize the committed efforts of Pat and her work on the behalf of the Farmington River and its surrounding habitat. Contact Judith Jones at nunijones@yahoo.com or send a check to Judith Jones at 167 Niles Road, New Hartford, CT 06057