Lucille Keane

Margaret “Lucille” (Brigham) Keane

At the remarkable age of 99, surrounded by the love of her family, Margaret “Lucille” Keane passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at her home in Exeter, New Hampshire after a brief period of declining health. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, joy, and generosity that touched all who knew her.

Born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, she was the youngest daughter of Harold L. and Alice G. (Dwyer) Brigham. A proud graduate of Marlborough High School and the Katherine Gibbs School of Boston, Lucille went on to work as a medical receptionist in several doctors’ offices in Boston and Marlborough. Later, while raising her family, she was employed by the Massachusetts Electric Company.

Lucille married her beloved husband, Thomas P. Keane Jr. and for nearly 63 years together they built a life centered on family, friendship, and community. They raised their family in Marlborough before moving to Salisbury, Massachusetts, where they spent more than 40 years continuing to make friends and cherished memories.

Lucille spent nearly a century bringing people together. Alongside Tom, they became known for hosting unforgettable gatherings where laughter flowed freely, stories were shared, and everyone was welcome—family, extended family, friends, neighbors, and newcomers alike. From spontaneous summer backyard cook-outs and Fourth of July neighborhood block parties in Marlborough, to St. Patrick’s Day corned beef dinners, Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas celebrations, and countless birthdays, no one ever had to spend a special occasion alone when Tom and Lou were hosting. Their home was a place of celebration, comfort, and belonging; a true reflection of the love they poured into their lives and their community. Among the most treasured of these gatherings were the lively summer pool parties and the magical Christmas celebrations, complete with long held traditions and famously well-organized present openings that created memories to last generations.

In midlife, supported by her devoted family and guided by the skilled oncology team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, she courageously overcame a cancer diagnosis and went on to live the remainder of her long life cancer-free.

After Tom’s passing, Lucille moved to Riverwoods in Exeter where she continued to thrive. She embraced an active and vibrant life and a packed social calendar; knitting for family and charity, attending exercise class, dinners, Sunday Brunch, and weekly social gatherings with “the Golden Girls” to (as they fashioned) “solve the problems of the world.” She kept up with Boston sports teams just enough to join the conversation. With a flair for style and a belief that feeling good started with looking your best, Lucille delighted in shopping trips with Ida and her granddaughters and in opening gifts of carefully chosen outfits. Regular visits to the hairdresser were non-negotiable. She also enjoyed the occasional sweet treat, which meant the candy dish outside her apartment door was always full—ready for neighbors and caregivers to share. In these small but meaningful ways, Lucille reminded us all that it’s important to take care of yourself and to enjoy life’s little indulgences.

Lucille lived independently until recently when she moved to an assisted living apartment where she received loving care and support from a compassionate and attentive team of caregivers up to and immediately after her final moments.

Most recently, she celebrated a long Christmas visit with her granddaughter, Hannah, and her 99th birthday surrounded by family and friends sharing the special day with her granddaughter, Emma, as they had done for just over 30 years with their close birthdays. The celebrations were made even sweeter by the chance to meet her newest great-grandchild, a joyful reminder that even at 99, her greatest happiness was found in family.

Lucille leaves this world to reunite with those she loved who were waiting to welcome her home. She will forever be remembered as a guiding light - steadfast, kind, determined, effortlessly funny, and always appreciative of a bit of good gossip.

She is survived by her two devoted sons, Thomas P. Keane III of Fremont, NH, and Michael Keane of Stratham, NH and their wives Ida Keane (Tom) and Nancy Keane (Michael), whom she loved as her own; her four cherished grandchildren, Allison Whalen and her husband Brian Whalen, Emily Mackay and her husband Adam Mackay, Emma Keane, and Hannah Keane; as well as her three beloved great grandchildren, Jonathan, Vera, and Elizabeth, each of whom brought her immense pride and joy. She leaves generations of extended family which includes her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. She is remembered fondly by many treasured friends throughout her life, including the “Golden Girls” at the Woods campus at Riverwoods and her very special friend Lucinda “Cindy” Beeder, who helped to comfort her in her sunset and her soon-after passing. Cindy’s company and friendship kept her laughing through all her days at Riverwoods.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she is predeceased by her sisters, Anne McCourt, Alice “Elsie” (Grogan) Dineen, and Marion Cormier.

Lucille’s memory will live on in the stories shared, the traditions carried forward, and the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

The family is planning a private burial service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring at Riverwoods Exeter with the date to be announced when it is available.

Arrangements are being made by Paul C. Rogers & Sons Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury, MA.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Lucille’s name to one of these organizations:

• Riverwoods Exeter - E.A.P. Riverwoods Group, 121 Technology Dr, Suite 105, Durham, NH 03824. Donations will be earmarked for The Employee Appreciation Fund to thank the staff who supported and cared for Lucille during her many years at Riverwoods.
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  1. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur SNDdeN,East-West Province, 351 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149-3425, in support of her dear sister-in-law, Sister Ellen Keane and the Sisters’ mission to proclaim “God’s loving care for all peoples” worldwide.

     Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 5thFl, Brookline, MA 02445, whose unwavering mission is to defy cancer by supporting cutting edge research, compassionate patient care, and the pursuit of lifesaving breakthroughs.