Marie Teresa (Perry) Keating

Marie Teresa (Perry) Keating, 93, of Houston passed away September 14, 2024. Marie was born March 13, 1931, in Monessen, PA to Giovanni (Persico) Perry and Louise (Naccarato) Perry. Marie moved with her family from Pennsylvania at a young age and grew up in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles in 1949. She was a loyal friend and often remembered her Japanese classmates who were detained during WWII. Marie went to work for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company. Marie met Donald when he was stationed in California, after a two-month courtship they married on February 11, 1956. That began their 68 years of life together. They welcomed the birth of their four children and Marie embraced her role as a mother. Her winsome nature and loving demeanor touched all around her as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and friend. Marie enjoyed volunteering at the library at her children’s schools, and teaching ESL at Westchester High School. Marie was an active member of St. Cecilia’s parish; a member of the women’s group and her true passion was many years of work in the St Theresa Little Flower shop. This diocesan thrift shop provided not only aid to the poor but a place where Marie fostered close friendships and had weekly contact with their regular clientele. Marie and Don had a shared love of travel. They made it a priority, and this took them all over the United States and the world. Family was often blessed with the opportunity to accompany them on these travels. Marie always loved spending time at the beach whether she was in California, on the east coast or on the Gulf Coast. Block Island became a special place where the family spent a week every summer. The memories of these vacations will be treasured for years to come by their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Elizabeth, her parents, and brother, Frank Perry. She is survived by her devoted husband Donald, her children John (Bridget) James (Sandra), and Christine: her grandchildren, Kellie, Laura, Claire Jimenez (Andres), John and Katherine, great-grandchildren Jolene and Liliana, and many nieces and nephews. Marie’s family extends our sincere thanks to Gladys Lopez for her 25+ years of service and friendship, the staff of Eagle’s Trace Memory Care for their excellent care throughout her illness, and The Care Team Hospice for the dedication to preserving her dignity in her final days. A visitation beginning at 6:00 PM and Rosary Service at 7:00 PM will be held Monday, September 30, 2024, at Dettling Funeral Home 14094 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77079. Funeral Mass will be the following morning Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 10:30 AM, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church 11720 Joan of Arc Dr, Houston, TX 77024 with Burial to follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers please consider a charitable donation to Amazing Place of Houston, a day program for family members with dementia. www.amazingplacehouston.org

Marie Teresa (Perry) Keating

March 13, 1931 - September 14, 2024