Dolores A. (Gearhart) Keene

Dolores A. Keene, of Christ the King Apartments, died on March 18, 2022. Born on July 22, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Reed and Anna Gearhart.  The family returned to DuBois after the death of Dolores’ father.

She was preceded in death by husbands James J. Kearney and Nile W. Keene, and a grandson, Joshua Schellin.

She is survived by 4 children: James M. Kearney of Middletown, PA, Anne Jennings of Aston, PA, Marie Northam of Dagsboro, DE. and Cathlin McCormick of Manchester, MD, 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.

Dolores was graduated from St. Catherine High School, DuBois, PA. in 1953 and from Villanova University in 1960. In a nursing career that spanned 60 years, she held RN licenses in 5 states and served as Director of Nursing in multiple hospital, nursing home and psychiatric care facilities.  She was a pioneer in the field of psychiatric nursing and taught many students in that field including as a Professor of Nursing at her Alma Mater, Villanova University.

She broke new ground over the span of her career, including establishing psychiatric nursing rotations as part of general nursing education and she was one of the first to bring nursing students to addiction rehabilitation facilities.

 Dolores’ strong commitment and daily practice of her Catholic faith led her to humbly dedicate her life in the service of the marginalized, the poor, the addicted and the lonely in society.

Public visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Leo Nedza Funeral Home of DuBois, PA. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, DuBois, PA., with Rev. Edward Walk, celebrant.

Interment will take place at Morningside Cemetery.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Parish, DuBois, PA.

Online condolences will be accepted at www.nedzafamilyfuneralhomes.com

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