Chesapeake Style Online

Spring 2013 21
She was such a caring
person. Even not
knowing who I was
she took the time
to help me nd my
Carmine who is nine years old
Jean Keating Loved An Adventure
By Carol Chapman
“They say that a part of you dies
when a special Loved One passes
away...I disagree...I say a part of
you lives with your Loved One on
the other side.” Daniel Yanez
Jean Keating knew how to
live. Even when dependent
on a handicapped
walker and enduring
the intermittent pain of
kidney stones, she knew how to
enjoy life. She loved an adventure.
Before I knew her, she travelled
the world with her ex-husband.
After I knew her, she sometimes
travelled with me. Often this travel,
for example, when we went to
BookExpo or to book fairs, included
sharing the hotel room with her
Reflections on Jean Keating
By Elizabeth D. Huegel
When I rst met
Jean Keating
in 2012, my
objective was
to interview
her for an article. I didn’t know very
much about her at the time, except
that she was an accomplished
author... What I did know was that
her time remaining in this world
Dear Jean,
ank you for
allowing my seven
year old granddaughter
the
now and the joy of my life.
What an accomplished
and caring Lady Jean was.
In spite of all her many
activities and involvement
in many organizations she
always had time for someone
that needed her help.
I am one of those people she
helped. Years ago I wanted a
Papillon as a pet. At that time
there were not many for sale and the
breeders that did have them would
not ship and were very hesitant
to sell to an unknown person. I
had spent hours and hours on the
phone calling one breeder after
beloved hearing-assist Papillon, Pu.
Pu was more than a hearing assist
dog. He was also her book-signing
magnet. People thronged to her table
to pet the adorable little “Sherlock
Bones” who was dressed in a private
eye hat and carried a magnifying
glass attached to his jacket.
Jean sold books! I’d sit at the table
next to her, thankful if a couple of
people browsed one of my titles,
and watch the lineup of fans at her
table. Jean jokingly suggested I get
myself a talking parrot. But it wasn’t
only that Pu drew the crowds.
Jean greeted people with warmth
and made them feel special.
ere were a couple of times when
we traveled without Pu. Once we
went on a “writer’s retreat” to the
Outer Banks and shared a luxurious
would be short compliments of a
terminal cancer and that we needed
to get the article written soon.
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to
interview her and write what became
the last chapter in her life. Jean was
an amazing person—I only wish I
had known her longer! She treasured
her beautiful, long salt/pepper hair
and hated the idea that she would
lose it to the chemotherapy. I had
to agree… her hair was beautiful.
opportunity to read to your Papillon.
She and her sister were all excited
when they returned from visiting
with you at the Williamsburg library.
ank you also for your review of my
another only to be turned down
to own one of their puppies.
Someone gave me Jean's name to
call to see if she knew of anyone that
might have one I could purchase.
I didn't know Jean but I called her
on the phone. Even though she did
not know me she listened to what
I had gone through and said she
would try to help. She spent a lot of
time talking to me. She asked some
questions and took time out of her
busy schedule to have a long talk
with me to see if I would be a good
Mom to one of her precious breed.
After we talked she suggested
that I call a breeder she was familiar
condo overlooking the ocean. It
was during this retreat that we both
started our newsletters to our fans.
Jean cared for her fans, especially
the young people. In fact, her
last wish was to fulll promises
made to readers of her books who
had requested they be included
in her next book, which became
Animal Heroes and Friends.
Probably our greatest adventure
was our trip to Alaska when we
attended the Mystery Writer’s
conference. Jean’s story, “Brodie,
an Alaskan Search and Rescue Star,”
came out of that conference.
In typical Jean Keating fashion,
she also booked a couple of seats
on a catamaran to view orcas and a
calving glacier. She really knew how to
make life an adventure. Determined
Little did I know that Jean’s life
would end sooner than she, or
anyone else, expected. Today, March
3rd, on the anniversary of her 75th
birthday, I attended the memorial
service celebrating her life. ere
were so many people in attendance…
those who had known her for a
lifetime, and others, like me, who had
just met her. Everyone agreed that
Jean was the kind of person you only
meet once in your life. No matter how
book. It gave me encouragement to
continue writing. As I was writing
you this note I received the e-mail
notifying me of your passing.
Although this is late, I wanted
with that had a puppy that I might
be able to get. She gave me the
people's name. When I called
them I used Jean as a reference.
I believe that they called her and
only because of HER vouching for
me was I able to get my precious
Papillon that I still have today.
If it were not for Jean's caring
for people I never would have
known the joy of being owned by a
Papillon. I will always be indebted
to her for her taking an interest in
my problem and solving it for me.
Her love of the Papillon breed
will always be remembered.
Diane Winer and Carmine
to see the sights on the catamaran,
Jean hauled her walker onto the
observation deck of the boat. I was
impressed. She would have loved to
have been on the outside deck, but,
with her typical sporting spirit, she
made the best of what she could do.
At home in Virginia, we often had
lunch together and used each other as
sounding boards for our manuscripts.
During one of these lunches less than
six months ago, Jean told me she had
just discovered that she was on her
last great adventure. I started to cry,
but Jean held my hand and said, “Why
fuss? Death is a natural part of life.”
And I, like so many others
who loved her dearly, am left to
travel the darkening tunnel of the
rest of my years without her.
long you knew her, it seemed like you
had known her forever. Her love of life
was contagious and she tackled every
aspect of her life with control and
enthusiasm. Jean taught us all how
to live life to the fullest, and to accept
death as an inevitable part of living.
She was a Christian; she had faith
in eternal life and did not fear the
transfer from this realm to the next.
Rest in peace, Jean! You were loved
and respected by all who knew you!
you to know you are appreciated
for your kindness to others. John
Hornung, Williamsburg, Virginia