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Joan Lee Keogh

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Joan Lee Keogh died Dec. 19, 2019, in Heathrow, Florida, of complications related to Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was 82.

Joan grew up in Clifton, New Jersey, and graduated from Beaver College (Arcadia University). She worked for the Ford Foundation in New York City, where she met her husband, Kevin. They later moved to Pittsford, New York, where they spent 18 years. She was active in the Pittsford Schools parent group and became a Certified Financial Planner. 

Joan and Kevin first came to Chautauqua for a week in 1975. They returned every summer after that and purchased their home on Janes Avenue in 1983, where she spent the last 35 seasons happily sitting on her porch. After Kevin’s passing, Joan was lucky enough to find a second love at Chautauqua, Jim Lynch. Joan and Jim would love to tell the story of how they met “walking down the aisle” as Eucharistic Ministers for the Chautauqua Catholic Community. They married in Chautauqua in 2010.  

While at Chautauqua, Joan spent many years as a Chautauqua Fund volunteer and was a member of the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees. She also served on the Chautauqua Challenge Campaign and the Renewal Campaign. She was active in the Catholic Community, serving as treasurer, and was the house manager for the Chautauqua Women’s Club for many years. During her years at Chautauqua, Joan rarely missed a daily lecture, and she and Kevin established a Keogh Family Lectureship to sponsor a lecture each year in the future.

Family meant everything to Joan. She was happiest with a full house and a full porch. She opened her heart and home and was a “second mother” to many. Joan cherished her summers at Chautauqua surrounded by family and friends.  

She is survived by her husband Jim Lynch; children Sean Keogh (Kim Keogh), Maura Keogh Shafer, Kyle Keogh (Liz Keogh), Lisa Lynch (Zohar Kfir), Jim Lynch (Tracy Edwards); nephew Tim Keogh; and grandchildren Maya Lynch, Matthew Keogh, Tristan Shafer, Michael Keogh, Skylar Shafer, Nathaniel Shafer, Brendan Keogh, Bridget Keogh, Tyler Keogh, Daley Keogh, Uma Lynch and countless other relatives and dear friends.  

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Chautauqua at giving.chq.org, in memory of Joan Lee Keogh.

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