In Memoriam: Longtime Little Silver Resident Bobby Keenan, 90

Longtime Little Silver resident Roberta “Bobby” Platz Keenan passed away at home on Saturday, June 22. She was 90.

“On a weekend visit to the shore, Bobby met the love of her life Jack Keenan. When they married, she had to learn to drive after moving to ‘rural’ Monmouth County living first in Red Bank and later moving to Little Silver. Bobby was a gifted artist and seamstress. Her talents ranged from practical home projects like upholstery and curtains to elaborate Halloween costumes and elegant clothing. Family and friends were lucky to receive beautiful paintings and exquisite needlework. She loved to read, and always enjoyed learning. Family trips always included excursions to local sites and museums. She was a devoted wife and mother. She partnered with Jack as he pursued a lifelong hobby in dog training, traveling across the country to numerous dog shows and serving on the board of the Bayshore Companion Dog Club. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and class parent, taught CCD for many years and chaperoned countless trips. When her grandchildren came along, attending their activities and sporting events was one of her favorite pastimes.”
Loved ones of Bobby Keenan in her obituary

More about Bobby Keenan …

Born and raised in Newark, Bobby was a graduate of St. Vincent Academy. After high school she briefly worked for Hardware Mutual Insurance before taking a job in the drafting department of the Newark headquarters of New Jersey Bell.

She became a department supervisor and stayed at the Telephone Company for more than 15 years, working part time after having her first child. After working part time in the local schools when her children were young, Bobby eventually returned to graphic design working for a textbook printing firm.

After retirement, Bobby volunteered at the Little Silver Public Library and did volunteer food delivery for The Center in Asbury Park for many years.

Bobby is survived by: her daughter, Stephanie, and husband James Keenan, her daughter, Jennifer, and husband Michael Forrar; and grandchildren, Elizabeth Keenan, and Colin and Grace Forrar.

She was predeceased by: her husband of 63 years, John (Jack) Keenan; her parents, Joseph and Gladys (Schwaner) Platz; and her brother, Joseph Platz Jr.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. at St. James Church, 94 Broad St, Red Bank. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Parker Family Health Center, 211 Shrewsbury Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701 (www.parkerfamilyhealthcenter.org) or the American Cancer Society.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home