Blanche Marion Mckeagney

Blanche Marion McKeagney of Cheshire, CT died of heart failure on April 13, 2013 at the age of 90. She was born in Rochester, NH on October 21, 1922 to Ruth Edwards Dorr and William Dorr. Blanche grew up in Milton, NH and graduated from Nute High School where she was an outstanding student and basketball player. Following high school she attended Melrose Hospital School of Nursing in Melrose, MA.

Blanche married Robert B. McKeagney, also of Milton, NH, in 1944. After a short residence in the Boston area, Robert's work with the US Army Corps of Engineers took the couple to Norfolk, VA for several years. This was followed by moves to Kempsville, VA, Bon Aire, VA, Natick, MA and, ultimately, Cheshire, CT in 1958. Blanche took great pride in her success in raising seven children through this series of changes and continued, throughout her life, to be a source of constant support for her growing family.

In later years, Blanche and Robert made further moves to Marion, IA and Helena, AL. For many years, the couple also maintained a home in Meredith, NH. Blanche's natural friendliness and curiosity enabled her to make many new friends and to explore the unique characteristics of the varied communities in which she lived. Through these many moves, Blanche maintained a sense of adventure and learned to enjoy the local history and culture wherever she went. She particularly enjoyed introducing her children and grandchildren to the opportunities afforded by exposure to the diverse regions of the United States. She enriched this enthusiastic appreciation of life as an avid reader and as a skilled painter who captured the essence of American life through her work.

Subsequent to Robert's death in 1993, Blanche returned to Cheshire, CT to be closer to her children and the family home in New Hampshire. She is survived by seven children, Robert McKeagney Jr of Glastonbury, CT, Barbara Sossong of Plymouth, MA, Linda Napolitano of Cheshire, CT, Nancy Votto of Cheshire, CT, Donald McKeagney of Council Bluffs, IA, William McKeagney of Fairfield, ME, and David McKeagney of Wilmot, NH. In addition, she leaves twelve grandchildren, Robert McKeagney III of Dover, NH, Hildin McKeagney of South Portland, ME, Christopher Sossong of Duxbury, MA, Alison Napolitano, of Bristol CT, Andrew Napolitano of Cheshire, CT, Michael Votto of Wallingford, CT, Kate Jerome of Hamden, CT, Nicholas Votto of Cheshire, CT, Adam McKeagney of Council Bluffs, IA, Ryan McKeagney of Readfield, ME, Patrick McKeagney of Fairfield, ME, and Anna McKeagney of Wilmot, NH. She was also proud of her seven great grandchildren who reside in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Iowa.