Winifred Gleeson Keaney

1943 - 2024

Winifred Gleeson Keaney, 81, former professor of English at George Mason University, died on November 25, 2024 at home in Fairfax, VA. Dr. Keaney wrote and taught English literature with a focus on medieval studies for 30 years, where she inspired a generation of literary scholars. A graduate of Good Counsel College, Duquesne University and the University of Maryland, Dr. Keaney earned an undergraduate, masters and doctorate in English, contributed to many literary journals and published The Expansion and Transformations of Courtly Literature. Winnie is survived by her husband, Kevin Keaney; her three children, Elizabeth, Matthew and Alice, and four grandchildren. Winnie thrilled in being a grandmother and spoiling her grandchildren rotten.
As a mother, Winnie poured herself into her family and dedicated herself to her children. She spent countless late nights sewing Halloween costumes, helping with school projects, baking birthday cakes, or wrapping presents and hours cheering at swim meets, school plays, or serving as the class mom.
Winnie took great joy in her friendships, and she was most herself when she was doing something for someone else. Through her work with the Schoolchildren of Mockingbird Drive, Safe Passage, and St. Mary's Church, she instilled in her children the belief that it takes hard work to make the world a better place and an understanding that they have a responsibility to undertake that work.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11 a.m., at St. Mary of Sorrows Parish Center at 5222 Sideburn Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032. Entombment will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations please be made to Children's Hospital. The online guestbook is available at