Obituary for Jean S. Keyes (Swenson)
Jean Mae Swenson Keyes was born October 16, 1925, in Springfield, Massachusetts, the only child of Harold E. and Irene D. Swenson. She grew up in East Longmeadow, Mass, and enjoyed skiing and skating with friends and gatherings with many cousins. She was a good student and went on to graduate from the University of Massachusetts majoring in Home Economics. There, she met her husband, Benjamin S. Keyes, Jr., of Harvard, Mass. The couple moved to Churchville in 1952 where Mr. Keyes was herdsman at Indian Spring Farm. They moved to Mt. Felix farm in 1953 where they established their own dairy business.
Jean was a member of the Webster Congregational Christian Church where she helped prepare communion and served in the Society of Congregational Christian Women and was a member of Churchville Presbyterian Church and Women’s Circle. She was a member of the Harford County Homemaker’s Club and later the Soroptimist Club. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, swimming, sewing, knitting, and other handcrafts. After her husband’s death, she took care of feeding and caring for the calves of the dairy herd. In 1995 she was honored as Farmer of the Year by Harford County Farm Bureau. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family. Jean is survived by her three children, Cynthia K. Russo (Robert), Gary S. Keyes (Kathy), and David M. Keyes (Kelly). She is also survived by grandchildren: Christina Russo, Cara Mattlin (Kenneth), Steven Keyes (Vanessa), Jennifer Varvel (Josh), Daniel Keyes, Brian Keyes (fiancé Klara Miller), and Megan McMillan (Robert). Great-grandchildren include Aiden Mattlin, Lana Mattlin, Riley Keyes, Eli Varvel, Zoe-Belle Varvel, and Benjamin McMillan. She was also survived by her “adopted children” James Scibek, Stanley Scibek, Jody Oldham, Ruth Baltensperger, Lawrence Fifield, , and Ching-Tzon Tien.
She was predeceased by her husband, grandson, Benjamin D. Keyes, and Great-granddaughter, Riley Mattlin.
Mrs. Keyes passed away on November 24, 2021, at Citizens Care Center at the age of 96. A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, at Churchville Presbyterian Church, 2844 Churchville Road, Churchville, MD 21028. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM. Interment will be held at Harford Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be made in her memory to Citizens Care Center Activities Dept., 415 Market Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.
Jean was a member of the Webster Congregational Christian Church where she helped prepare communion and served in the Society of Congregational Christian Women and was a member of Churchville Presbyterian Church and Women’s Circle. She was a member of the Harford County Homemaker’s Club and later the Soroptimist Club. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, swimming, sewing, knitting, and other handcrafts. After her husband’s death, she took care of feeding and caring for the calves of the dairy herd. In 1995 she was honored as Farmer of the Year by Harford County Farm Bureau. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family. Jean is survived by her three children, Cynthia K. Russo (Robert), Gary S. Keyes (Kathy), and David M. Keyes (Kelly). She is also survived by grandchildren: Christina Russo, Cara Mattlin (Kenneth), Steven Keyes (Vanessa), Jennifer Varvel (Josh), Daniel Keyes, Brian Keyes (fiancé Klara Miller), and Megan McMillan (Robert). Great-grandchildren include Aiden Mattlin, Lana Mattlin, Riley Keyes, Eli Varvel, Zoe-Belle Varvel, and Benjamin McMillan. She was also survived by her “adopted children” James Scibek, Stanley Scibek, Jody Oldham, Ruth Baltensperger, Lawrence Fifield, , and Ching-Tzon Tien.
She was predeceased by her husband, grandson, Benjamin D. Keyes, and Great-granddaughter, Riley Mattlin.
Mrs. Keyes passed away on November 24, 2021, at Citizens Care Center at the age of 96. A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, at Churchville Presbyterian Church, 2844 Churchville Road, Churchville, MD 21028. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM. Interment will be held at Harford Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be made in her memory to Citizens Care Center Activities Dept., 415 Market Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.