Palm Springs, California
Contented Grandmother
Barbara Keating spent 25 years in public service, 10 as executive director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Middlesex, outside Boston. She was widowed almost 20 years ago and survived two occurrences of breast cancer. At 72, she split her time between Cape Cod, Mass., and Palm Springs, Calif., where she drove a red Sebring convertible and went to church every day.
She was someone you would not talk back to, said Paul Keating, one of her five children; she was smart, tough, professional and funny. "The joke was she could always find a restaurant with a good martini," he said. She took hers dry, with two olives.
She planned her year around visits with her 12 grandchildren, in Texas, Massachusetts and California.
A longtime friend, Eunice Maloney, remembers her quiet kindnesses. "She drove people for cancer treatments," she said. "She was always doing something for somebody, but she never said much about it."
Ms. Maloney remembers talking to her about five days before she was killed on American Airlines Flight 11 as she was returning to California from a visit with her East Coast grandchildren.
"She told me she was very happy with her life," Ms. Maloney said. "Later she left me a note that said she was very glad for my friendship. I thought maybe she wouldn't be coming back to the Cape. Little did I know."
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on June 16, 2002.
After her husband's death, Barbara Keating moved from Cape Cod to Palm Springs, Calif.
Every summer she returned to Massachusetts for a few months to visit. This summer, though, would be her last, she said, because her friends in Massachusetts were dwindling.
On her flight back to California, Keating died when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
"She was a wonderful woman, always had a smile on her face," said Rev. Philip Behan, pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Palm Springs.
Keating, 72, worked as a receptionist at the parish office. She could often be seen driving around Palm Springs in a red convertible sports car, always with the top down.
"Usually, she and a few other women would be driving around, even in the winter when it gets sort of cold, she had that top down," Behan said. "She also liked to celebrate. Her drink was always a martini with extra olives."
You don´t know me, but I´m so sorry for your loss and that it took so much time to identify her. She sounds like a wonderful woman! Prayers to all of you. Love, Patty Castella
Patricia Castella Kealey
August 08, 2025 | Other
Rest in peace Barbara.
Robert E Finkle
August 08, 2025 | Other
I just saw the article that the coroner´s office just identified more victims of 9/11. I saw Barbara´s name and felt like I wanted to know more so I went to her obituary. I hope the match has helped all of her relatives. She sounded like a good Mom, Grandma and friend. May her memory be a blessing! Sincerely Robin Moran Midlothian, VA
Robin Moran
August 07, 2025
I had to look her up and learn about her when I saw that Barbara's remains had been identified, almost 24 years later. May this finally bring some peace to her family. Rest easy, Barbara.
Tricia C
August 07, 2025 | Madison, WI
Today on the news it was announced that your family was able to find you. I pray this brings them peace and comfort. You will never be forgotten. NEW YORK (WABC) -- Twenty-four years after the September 11 terror attacks, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Thursday announced three new identifications of World Trade Center victims. Barbara Keating of Palm Springs is the 1652nd victims positively identified through DNA analysis.
Anonymous
August 07, 2025 | Other
Thinking of Barbara today. I always loved sitting with you at our Oak St. beach. We shared a similar taste in reading and traded book suggestions. I will always miss that and our chats.
Barbara Sucharewicz
September 10, 2024
Barbara our thoughts are with you today. You will never be forgotten. Deepest regards to your family and friends.
Tom H
September 14, 2023 | San Jose, CA
I was watching a tv programme about ground zero, and on more than one occasion the camera passed over the names of the ones lost. Barbara's name was on every shot, I decided to look her up and read about her. So sorry for the loss her family are feeling. If I get back to visit New York I will go and see where her name is. God bless her. I am from the UK.
Barbara McEnaney
November 10, 2020 | Consett
May her memory be eternal. My sister's name is Barbara Keating who lives in CA. She was visiting back east when 9/11 happened. She went back to CA just before that date. After hearing the names of those that passed, some of our family and friends thought my sister had died. We felt a strange connection with your Barbara. My sister and I had the opportunity to visit the memorial at the towers and were moved when we saw your Barbara's name. I read about her life and was very touched. I am...
Kathy Keating-Iola
September 11, 2019 | Venice, FL | Acquaintance
