William Keane

William "Bill" Keane, 76, died from dementia on July 7, 2021 at Waverly Inn in Arlington Heights, IL. A native of Philadelphia, Bill was first a local high school teacher and sacrificed his dream of becoming a journalist to be a caregiver to his mother and aunt with dementia. He worked tirelessly to improve the care of people living with dementia and to change the culture of healthcare. Bill worked for many healthcare and aging service organizations including the Whitman Group, Mather Institute on Aging, Green House Project and Clare Oaks Senior Living. He also served on the board of directors of the Alzheimer's Association and the Pioneer Network.

Bill graduated from Villanova University and earned master's degrees from Syracuse University and Temple University. He is survived by his sister, Roberta Keane, his sister-in-law, Kris Clark, and the children of his late brother, Dick: Dayton Keane, Kevin Keane, and Sarah Matheson. Bill loved his goddaughters, Gabriela McCarty and Carolyn Drexler. He had friends throughout the U.S. and a close group in his adopted home of Chicago. He will be remembered as a passionate advocate and a kind and gentle soul. A memorial will be held in Chicago next month and his ashes will be buried at his family's plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia. Gifts in Bill's honor can be made to the Pioneer Network and the Dementia Action Alliance.