Ankeene (Keene) (Marsoopian) Ovian

Ankeene (Keene) Ovian of Fleming Island, FL, passed away on August 1, 2023, at the age of 97. 

Born on February 5, 1926, to Armenian immigrants Kohar and Moses Marsoopian, Keene grew up in Whitinsville, MA with her three siblings. It was also where, as a child, she met her husband of sixty-seven years, Kayem (Kay), who preceded her in death in 2016. 

Keene graduated from Northbridge High School and attended Boston University, where she enjoyed city life and all that it had to offer. After marrying in 1948, Kay’s career as a Golf Course Superintendent first brought them to West Hartford, CT, then to Long Island, NY, where they raised their three daughters and made lifelong friends. In 1972, their oldest daughter was getting married and wanted floral tablecloths for her reception. With solid-colored cloths being the only option at the time, always creative Keene decided to make the floral cloths herself and thus began her business, Party Cloths. For 13 successful years, Party Cloths specialized in party planning for weddings, bar mitzvahs, receptions, and events, throughout Long Island and New York City, including The Plaza Hotel, Tavern on the Green and The Rainbow Room. After retiring, Keene and Kay moved to Falmouth, MA and Florida, enjoying many happy years together. 

Keene will always be remembered for her love of her family, her style, her hard work ethic and independent spirit, her passion for gardening, her love of her 5 o’clock martini, and especially her quick wit and sense of humor. She will also be remembered and admired for the dedication and tireless care she gave Kay over the last years of his life. After missing him for the past seven years, Keene died peacefully and on her own terms, on Kay’s birthday. 

Keene is survived by her three daughters and two sons-in-law, Karyn and Richard Kealty, Korry Hetherington, Karolyn and Patrick Cantin; her eight grandchildren, Jessica, Laura, Robert, Nicholas, Nina, Patrick, Luke, Jacob, and two great grandchildren, Wyatt and Kylee. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law Karl Hetherington, her brother Virgil and her sisters Anita and Alice. Keene is also survived by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Michael and Adrienne Ovian, Karnig and Diana Ovian, and predeceased by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stephen and Ann Ovian and Nishan and Victoria Ovian. Additionally, she is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, good friends and wonderful neighbors. 

***Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be a graveside service only.  The service will be recorded and uploaded to the obituary page later today (9/30).***

A Graveside Service is scheduled for September 30, 2023, at 11:00am at Pine Grove Cemetery, Linwood Ave,  Whitinsville.  

Donations in Keene’s memory may be made to: Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church, 315 Church Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588.

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