On Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 9:37 p.m., Lucy McKeon, 95, passed away surrounded by love at Seasons Hospice in Cumming, Ga.
The third of five children, Lucy Bertha Duquenoy was born Oct. 19, 1922, in Pawtucket, R.I. Her parents, Marie Louise Puget and George Gaston Duquenoy, were born in Calais, France, and came to the United States in 1908.
Lucy’s first language was French, and she was taught English at home before entering school. At age 16, she quit school to help contribute to the household and went to work in a lace mill.
Lucy married Peter McKeon Sr. on Oct. 16, 1942, and they had six children. Lucy earned her GED in 1960 and later attended Finers Beauty School in Pawtucket, R.I., to study cosmetology. In 1962, the couple moved to Murphy, where Lucy opened a beauty shop with her daughter, Eloise Hall. In 1967, Lucy and Peter divorced.
Lucy went on to teach cosmetology at Tri County Technical College. After a 15-year teaching career, Lucy retired and embarked on a life of traveling with her life partner, Doc Hedrick, until his passing in April of 2000.
In 2014, after 53 years living in the Peachtree community, Lucy moved to Peachtree Corners, Ga., so she would continue living independently next door to her daughter, Betty McKeon.
A remarkable woman, Lucy welcomed everyone without prejudice, and everyone who had the good fortune to cross her doorstep would leave her house with a full stomach. She had a great sense of humor, including the uncommon ability to laugh at herself. She treasured children above all things; she said they kept her young.
Her legacy and her love was her family. She was completely devoted to them.
Lucy leaves behind five children, 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Love and gratitude were the virtues in her heart as she left this world. She will be remembered for her humor, her ability to love, her generosity of spirit, her Lu’s stew and her hugs.
She was preceded in death by her son, William Robert McKeon; her parents, Marie Puget and George Duquenoy; her siblings: George Duquenoy, Alice Sylvester, Paul Duquenoy and Maurice Duquenoy.
She is survived by five children: Peter James McKeon Jr. of Murphy, Eloise Alice Hall of Marble, Elizabeth Ann McKeon of Peachtree Corners, Ga., Mary Paulette Ramsey of Grayson, Ga., and Joyce Lucy Wynia of Raleigh.
Her grandchildren: Peter James McKeon III of Murphy, Terri Ann Stroup of Murphy, Kenneth Charles McKeon of Murphy, Brett McKeon of Murphy, Dr. Billy Edgar Moss of Peachtree Corners, Ga., Christian Gray of Lilburn, Ga., Heather Rae Smith of Murphy, Joèl Elizabeth Moss of Brooklyn, N.Y., Michael Keith Whalon of Lawrenceville, Ga., Jennifer Leah Zeliff of Johns Creek, Ga., Brian Ramsey of Lilburn, Ga., William Robert McKeon Jr. of Johns Creek, Ga., Dustin McKeon of Johns Creek, Ga., Matthew Ramsey of Grayson, Ga., Erin Leigh Wynia of Raleigh, Dr. Laura Politte of Cary, Dr. Christopher McKeon of Knoxville, Tenn., and Dr. Blake Wynia of Greenville, S.C.
In addition, she leaves behind 30 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, 11 nieces and nephews, and two cousins.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 12, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy. Visitation with the family begins at 1 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m.
We greatly appreciate the kindness and compassion of Seasons Hospice in Cumming, Ga., for caring for Lucy in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you donate to: Save the Children, 501 Kings Highway Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825, www.savethechildren.org or Seasons Hospice Foundation, 6400 Shafer Court Suite 700 Rosemont, IL 60018 or www.seasonsfoundation.org.
You may send tributes to the McKeon family at www.townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.