Marlene R. Keating (nee Jones)

On August 11, 2024, Heaven’s loving angels led Marlene Rae Keating (nee Jones) Home to Jesus Christ. She passed peacefully after a lengthy decline while at home with her husband.

Marlene was born at Mercy Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio, on November 21, 1936, to Robert Francis and Ethel Mae (nee Flick) Jones. She was the oldest of two children and only girl. Her childhood homes were all located in Williamsdale, a little rural community outside of Hamilton, Ohio.

Marlene attended New Miami Elementary School and then Seven Mile High School until she graduated in 1954. She was a cheerleader in 7th and 8th grades (a “very big deal” in Williamsdale, according to Marlene) and while in high school, played the field drum– which was bigger than she was– in the marching band.

Marlene was a petite little blonde beauty, weighing only 86 pounds when she wed the love of her life and husband of 63 years and 11 mos., John Keating, on September 9, 1961. Their union brought forth two daughters, Shelly Keating and Shauna Keating-Schroot (Jimmy), and they were blessed with three grandsons, Noah Keating-Adams, Miles Keating-Adams and Brayden Schroot.

Music and dancing animated Marlene and brought her great comfort and joy throughout her life. She was such a “natural” at ballroom dancing that the owner of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Hamilton, Ohio, invited her to teach ballroom dancing part-time (which she did). The highlight of this period of her life was when she participated in an exhibition at the Kitty Hawk Ballroom in Dayton, Ohio.

Marlene's secretarial career began when she was hired just out of high school by RCA Estate in Hamilton. She then worked for a group of engineers in the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion department at General Electric in Evendale followed by a position at KeyCo. After many years as a stay-at-home mom, she returned to part-time work for her next-door-neighbor who’d just started his own oxygen therapy business, K.L. Dabe and Associates. Later, she worked as an administrative assistant for X-Tek, (David Pollack Enterprises), and subsequently Teepe’s River City Mechanical from which she retired at age 60 due to a breast cancer diagnosis. Extremely conscientious with regard to her work, her performance consistently exceeded expectations.

Marlene will be remembered as a beautiful spirit, a gentle and loving soul. She was humble, kind, and selfless. Her radiant smile and sense of humor uplifted all those in her midst. Her life revolved around her family and friends. Marlene cared deeply about others' needs and feelings and never failed to put them above her own. She enjoyed shopping for bargains and baking. Crafting exquisitely beautiful and intricately detailed handmade greeting cards was her favorite leisure pursuit. She used all of these pastimes to bless so many.

A visitation will be held for Marlene at Paul R. Young Funeral Home, 3950 Pleasant Ave., Hamilton, OH 45015 on Monday, August 19, 2024 from 10:30 AM until time of the Funeral Service at 12:30  PM. Marlene’s final resting place will be at St. Mary Cemetery located at 4030 Pleasant Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio, 45015.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Cincinnati Animal Care in Marlene’s name. See https://cincinnatianimalcare.org/donate/ to submit a donation.

Online condolences can be made at www.paulyoungfuneralhome.com .

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