Patricia Keelan:
CLASS OF 1963
St. Aloysius AcademyClass of 1963
Rome, NY
Patricia's Story
I still reside in Rome, NY. Graduated from SAA in 1963. Later on attended MVCC.
I married in 1967 and had two daughters, Kelli and Kristine Leonard.
In 1975 I married Gary Washburn and was married until he unexpectly passed away in his sleep in June 2001.
In September of 1989 I became a Born Again Christian. Some God different building.
After 45 years I was reunited with my first love, John DeMinico. He was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base 1963-1966.John relocated from Pa and we were married October 6, 2010. John has been teaching Yoga for over 20 years and has opened The Yoga Studio in Rome. I worked at the Rome Sentinel Company as an advertising rep for 32 years.I retired in May2012.
In July of 1991 my 21 year old daughter Kristine Leonard and her best friend Lara Kotary were killed by a drunk driver. In 1992 I became coordinator of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Oneida County as a victim advocate. In 2001 I became a honoree of the YMCA Mohawk Valley's Salute to Outstanding Women for starting MADD in Oneida County,something very close to my heart. Receiving this honor was a soothing salve for my heart. I am on the board of Oneida County's Traffic Safety Committee and the Ondia County Stop DWI. I speak on the victim impact panels for convicted offenders sanctioned by the courts to attend. Over the years I have had the opportunity to speak in the schools to thousands of kids about making right decision...Expand for more
s,stopping the phone calls that are every parents nightmare and their ability to change what my generation was not able to do.
I started in SAA in the third grade, On my first day Lois Trophia came to my desk and told me she was going to be my friend and she was my friend her whole life. In 2007 Lois was in the hospital diagnosed with leukemia. She was hospitalized for an extended period of time because of her depleted immune system. She was not allowed visitors.
We talked on the phone. We laughed about the same things we always laughed about. We talked about the BOP
Club , girl scout camp, franklin field, Father Vickers, the parties in the barn behind my house, spin the bottle, pajama parties, smoking in the girls room and blowing the smoke out the window, proms, and the SAA dances. Finally Lois went home. Her daughter Heather called and told me to come. I went. Lois was very weak but peaceful. I asked her if I could pray for her out load. She nodded her head yes. I prayed. The next morning Heather called and told me Lois had died. I spoke at her funeral. I just started by sharing about the little girl that came to my desk and said she was going to be my friend.........Her family smiled. I knew Lois would like that.
I have learned in my life that if you only stay focused on what you have lost or don't have....that's where you will stay. Do not have self pity it's a tool that the devil uses to rot away your life.
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