Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 at 04:24:36 :
West Marin Star
Saturday, December 15, 1945
Page 1
Mrs. J. Ray Keaton Is Taken in Her Sleep; Throngs Pay Tribute
Mrs. Margaret E. Keaton was carried to her last resting place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery Tuesday morning by fellow county officers of her husband, J. Ray Keaton, Marin’s Coroner and Public Administrator. Requiem high mass had been celebrated at St. Raphael’s Church, and mourners by the hundred had passed her bier at the mortuary where she had for many years been an inspiration of comfort to saddened souls.
Margaret Keaton’s spirit seemed to permeate the flower banked chapel where she so often consoled those who had lost dear ones. She had that way about her of relieving one’s distressed feelings. Many a person who knelt with a prayer in passing or stood with bowed head and unspoken farewell had been the recipient of her sympathetic caresses under similar circumstances and they were acknowledging as best the could in silent tribute.
Mrs. Keaton died early Saturday morning in her sleep at the family home across from the mortuary on E street in San Rafael. She had been in poor health for several months, but was improving and looked forward to a pleasant Christmas with her sons home from the wars.
It was but a couple of days before her passing that Ray Keaton left his sick bed where he had been stricken for many weeks.
Born 69 years ago in Nicasio, she lived a full and active life in Marin where her friends were legion. Just a little more than 40 years ago she married J. Ray Keaton and to this union were born five splendid children, the boys, William R., Harold J. and Frank J. Keaton, saw service, the first in the Coast Guard and the latter two in the Army, and two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Ahern and Mrs. Regina Reich of San Rafael. A sister, Mrs. Harold Clark and brother, Nick Whitmore, also survive.
The extent of Mrs. Keaton’s personal charities never will be made known as her benevolences were conducted in such an unostentatious manner that it seemed but part of her daily routine of life.
Through her extensive lodge and organization affiliations she was always active in aiding those in sickness or distress.
Organizations which will miss her participation include the American Legion Auxiliary of San Anselmo, the Past Arch Druidesses Association, San Rafel Circle of Druids, the San Anselmo Women’s Improvement Club, Business and Professional Women’s Club, Marinita Parlor of Native Daughters, Genessee Council of the Degree of Pocahontas, the auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, the Catholic Ladies’ Aid and the SPRSI and UPPEC, both of San Rafael.
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