Joan C. Keiver

Joan C. Keiver, 99, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Born on August 8, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Edwin and Marion (Oliver) Coughlin. Joan is also pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 70 years, Osmund "Ossie" Keiver Jr., and her 6 siblings, most recently her closest sister, Janet Ingalls.
Joan was born in Lynn and raised in Swampscott in the house her father Edwin built for his family. The youngest of seven children, Joan was a graduate of the Perry Normal School and majored in pre-school education. Joan's sister Elaine owned and operated the Christopher Robin Nursery School in Marblehead and Joan joined the team after graduating from Perry Normal. She told great stories of her time with her sister and nursery school children.
Joan was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished friend. She loved her family and always made time for fun. She had an unwavering devotion to those she loved, especially the love of her life and husband of 70 years, Osmund. Joan had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor that brought sunshine to those who knew her. In her earlier years, she enjoyed golfing with the 9-holers at Tedesco and being with friends for their "Brown-Bag" luncheons.
During their retirement years, Joan and Ossie enjoyed many years together with friends and golf shared between Chatham and Ft. Myers, Florida, at the Gateway. What fun they had! Joan loved to dance with Ossie, had a beautiful singing voice, and liked singing all the timeless classics, including those by Judy Garland, perhaps her favorite. Another favorite was cooking, and Joan loved her time in the kitchen testing new recipes. She was an excellent cook and baker. Joan's legacy is one of love and loyalty, a life well-lived and fondly remembered in the stories, songs, and smiles she leaves behind.
Joan's most recent years were spent at The Residence at Vinnin Square in Swampscott where she thrived. She was able to enjoy new friends and a reconnection to some residents who had also grown up in the local area.
Joan will be dearly missed and is survived by her loving children; Susan (Keiver) Zotto and her husband Peter, Janet (Keiver) Green, wife of the late Les Green, Peter Keiver and wife Pam, and Deborah (Keiver) McIlroy and husband David; grandchildren Benjamin Zotto and his partner Becky, Emily Zotto, Peter Matthew Zotto and his wife Molly, Brandon Corsaro and his wife Ashley, Alexander Keiver, Abigail Keiver and her partner Dylan, Laura (McIlroy) Bulman and husband Jerry, Meghan (McIlroy) Snyder and her husband Chris, and Sarah McIlroy and her fiancé Andrew St. Ours; great-grandchildren June Barnum, Annie Barnum, Gemma Zotto, Avery Bulman, Noelle Bulman, Reese Bulman, Owen Snyder, and Mackenzie Snyder; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Joan will be announced at a later date.