Dorothy "Dottie" Irene Lord Keenan, 94, passed away peacefully at her home in Westover on June 20, 2024. Born in Ridgely, Maryland on October 30, 1929, she was the oldest child of the late Dorothy Porter Lord and Robert William Lord. Her husband of 59 years, Richard Harry Keenan, preceded her in death on July 3, 2011.

Dottie was raised in Ridgely, and she graduated from Ridgely High School in 1946. Having a love for children, she enrolled in Maryland State Teachers College (now Salisbury University). It is there that she met her future husband. Dottie graduated in 1950, and she began her teaching career in Queen Anne's County. Dottie and Dick married on July 28, 1951, and they moved to Princess Anne. After teaching two years for Somerset County Public Schools from 1951-1953, she took a break from teaching to raise her family. She and Dick moved to the family farm in Westover where she lived for the rest of her life. In the 1960's, she opened a private kindergarten in her own home. When kindergarten was added to the public school curriculum, she returned to teaching in Somerset County Public Schools, retiring in 1983. Dottie had a gift for teaching young children, and many children benefited from that gift.

Dottie was a previous member of Manokin Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, and helped with the children's choir. She and Dick also helped with the youth group. Later, Dottie and Dick began attending and became members of Holly Grove Mennonite Church. She loved her church family.

Dottie loved to knit, and many people received gifts of her beautiful knitting through the years. She liked to raise African violets and gladiolas, read, play cards, and watch Orioles baseball games. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. She had many good friends through the years, but most of them preceded her in death. Special friends that gave her a great deal of support were Anna Malin and Cindy Noble.

She is survived by her son, Kevin Keenan (Irena) of Westover, and her daughter, Karen Good (Keith) of Westover. She is survived by her granddaughters, Katie Eby (Matt) of Pocomoke, Kristen Elliott (Shaun) of Westover, and Naomi Keenan of Westover. She is survived by five great- grandchildren: Mackenzie Eby, Katelyn Eby, Kaylee Eby, Libby Elliott, and Joshua Elliott. She is survived by her siblings: Betty Love of Denton, Robert Lord (Joan) of Charles Town, West Virginia, and Donald Lord (Dale) of Ridgely. In addition to her siblings, she is survived by a special cousin, Margie Alexander of Pocomoke, and a special nephew and his wife, Ronald, and Debbie Love, of Denton.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Edwin Love, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Edward "Ned" Keenan, and Virginia Keenan.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to her caregivers: Tiffany, Laura, Tina, Ruth, Lana, Bea, Abby, Lexi, and Pauline, who made it possible for her to remain in the comfort of her own home during her decline. Her Coastal Hospice caregivers: MacKenzie, Amy, Chet, Haley, and Kristen all provided valuable support that is also deeply appreciated.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Beechwood Cemetery in Princess Anne. Pastor James Wengerd will officiate the service. Lunch will be served at Holly Grove Mennonite Church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Holly Grove Mennonite Church, 7333 Mennonite Church Road, Westover, Maryland 21871 or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland 21801.