Elaine Keyes, 84

01/29/2024

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Elaine M. Keyes (née Kerns), 84, passed on the 29th of January at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William, who passed in March of last year.

While she was a fifteen-year resident of Williamstown, she lived for many years in Lenox. She and her husband were enticed to move to the Berkshires in part because of their love of Tanglewood and the scenic beauty of the area.

She was born in Boston to Stanley F. and Anne (McCarthy) Kerns on March 25th, 1939. She attended Mount Alvernia High School and graduated from Emmanuel College in 1960 with a degree in chemistry.

Elaine found work at Massachusetts General Hospital as a research assistant. At her next position at MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, she met and fell in love with William Keyes. They married on September 18th, 1965, in Chestnut Hill

Following her marriage to William, she built a family and embraced the roles of mother and wife. Continuing in her love of education, she obtained an Associate of Science in Computer Science from Berkshire Community College, and later taught there.

While raising her sons, she administered multiple food cooperatives in Lenox and was active in the Catholic Daughters of America. Performing as a Eucharistic Minister, she brought the joy and comfort of communion to the home-bound and infirm. She eventually returned to work, taking on a variety of roles at Country Curtains, Sheaffer-Eaton, Electric Field Measurements, Williams College, accountant Nelson Furlano, and The Jewish Federation. In retirement, she was active in Williamstown community groups and tutoring seniors in computer usage.

Elaine was wise, loving, and brilliant woman with a sense of humor and a lifetime of accomplishments. She leaves behind four sons: Robert ‘Bob’ of Monson, Maine, Brian (Delena) of Chantilly, Virginia, and Edward ‘Ted’ (Andrea) of Los Angeles, California, and Robert Lind of Las Vegas, Nevada. Also bereft are: her sister Mary Lou Rehm of Milton, Massachusetts, niece Sarah (Kenny) Reichel of Quincy, Massachusetts, nephew David (Elizabeth) Kerns of Northport, New York, many cousins in Boston, Ireland, and elsewhere, and friends throughout.

A memorial service will be held a Flynn-Dagnoli- West Chapel on March 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to 'Hospice Care in The Berkshires' in her memory. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com

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Elaine Keyes, 84

Memorials

Elaine was a wonderful person. She inspired me so much. I honor her by trying to go forward. She was like an older sister. My sympathy goes to all her sons. ELAINE WAS THE BEST. I was very blessed to have known her
from: Linnea Nelson	on: 03-08-2024

Elaine became like a sister as my neighbor. She and Bill were an absolute joy that now- funny, wise and caring. I will miss her Irish wit and humor, her recommendations of what to read next ( a true bibliophile). She will be missed by her Memoir Writing group members. I will sorely miss our warm weather salons on the lawn discussing all and everything. As a bonus, I got to know the Keyes family- their wonderful sons! What a blessing that know Elaine and Bill. Their absence leaves a large space I fill with great memories.
from: Rose Oliver	on: 03-08-2024

My most sincere condolences to Elaine’s family. I was so sad to learn of Elaine’s passing, tho I knew her only briefly and mostly thru her writing in a memoir group. We found we had a few experiences in our past in common; she expressed hers beautifully. She will most certainly be missed.
from: Diane Parsons	on: 03-08-2024