Obituary of Theda Y. Keddy

Theda Y. Keddy (nee) Pearl, 88 of Monmouth Beach died at her home on Friday, Jan. 4th. Theda was affectionately known by her grandchildren, and many of their friends,as "Annie".

She was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia and moved to Newark, NJ in 1952 and married Donald R.Keddy in 1953. In 1955 Theda and Don settled in Monmouth Beach, NJ.

Volunteering, serving the community, and helping her neighbors was a way of life for Theda, who seemed to have boundless energy. In 2002 she was honored to receive the Monmouth Beach Commissioner's Award for her volunteerism to her town.

She served for 22 years as a member of the Monmouth Beach Planning Board and 2 yrs as chairperson. She participated in revising the Monmouth Beach Master Plan twice. Theda was a volunteer for 15 years on the State Juvenile Conference Committee, also serving on Mon Beach and Red Bank Juvenile Conference Committees. Theda was a parishioner of St. James Episcopal Church, Long Branch, where she volunteered in the parish thrift shop for many years. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Monmouth Beach Fire Company, and a member of the Sandpipers Seniors of Monmouth Beach. She served as a Scout leader for both of her children and annually was an organizer for the St. Jude Bike-A-Thon in town. As a long time member of the Monmouth Medical Center Auxilliary, she enjoyed knitting caps for premature babies for Project Linus. Theda was a ribbon maker and supporter of the Annual Twilight Concerts for Children in Rumson.

Theda loved to cook and loved all kids. She had a big smile and laugh and always enjoyed helping others. She was proud of her Canadian heritage, her children and especially her grandchildren, she loved Sunday dinners with her family, and cherished her summers home in Nova Scotia with her large, extended family. She also cared deeply for the people of her adopted hometown of Monmouth Beach, where in later years she was a member of the MB Beautification Committee and exercised her love of gardening by tending the groups' plantings around town.

Theda was pre-deceased by her husband, Don in 2011; She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Schiafone, Long Branch and her son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and his wife Lisa Keddy, of Ocean; three grandsons, Christopher Schiafone, Matthew Schiafone, and Nicholas Keddy, and extended family in Nova Scotia.

Visitation Friday, Jan. 11th, 5 to 8 pm at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. Funeral mass, Saturday, Jan. 12th, 10 am at St. James Episcopal Church, Broadway and Slocum Street, Long Branch. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be directed in support of the Twilight Concert and the Aids Resource Foundation for Children, Newark, NJ or at aidsresource.org. To share a favorite memory or send messages of condolence please visit Theda’s page of tributes www.woolleyboglioli.com.