Elizabeth P. Keeney

KEENEY, ELIZABETH P., 87



Ocala - Elizabeth P. Keeney, age 87, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2008. Known to her friends as "Polly", she was born in Ocala on November 7, 1920. As a fourth generation native, she was raised in Ocala, graduating from Ocala High School in 1938, the same year she was crowned "Miss Ocala". She then attended Stetson University, graduating in 1942, where she was a proud member of her college sorority, Pi Beta Phi. Polly then worked at Ocala's Greenville Army Aviation School, married Robert Briggs, an instructor from Indiana, whose later employment with Pan American Airways resulted in her residency in Miami, New York, and London over the several following years. She returned to Ocala in 1955 where she raised her two sons. She became employed with CFCC upon its opening and for 15 years was the college assistant registrar, second mother to thousands of students, and where she recently received permanent recognition at CFCC's 50th Anniversary celebration. In 1973 she married Floyd Keeney Jr., a former high school admirer, and moved to his home in Cordele, Georgia, where their wonderful life together began. In 1984 they returned to Ocala, following which she spent more than 20 years serving her church, her friends, her family, and her four grandchildren, and recently born first great grandchild. Polly was a lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church, which her great grandfather Thomas founded, with seven other families, in 1853. Those who knew her were aware there was a Saint amongst us. She is survived by her sons, John Briggs, and his wife Dawn of Windermere, and Randy Briggs, and his wife Diana of Ocala, sister-in-law Marie Keeney of Ocala, and four grandchildren and one great grandchild, Bo Briggs, and his wife Nadia and their son Cullen of Ocala, Allison Briggs of Ocala, and Zac Briggs and Josh Briggs of Windemere. She is predeceased by her parents, Pauline Harder Pasteur and former Ocala City Councilman George C. Pasteur, brothers Francis and John Pasteur, sister Dell Igou, first husband Robert O. Briggs, and husband Floyd G. Keeney, Jr. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service that will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Tuesday, September 2, at 4:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the home of her son, Randy. For those who wish, memorial contributions can be made to either Grace Episcopal School or Grace Episcopal Altar Guild at 510 SE Broadway Street, Ocala 34471.