Patricia Ann Swails Keen, known by a several nicknames – Pat, as called by most; Tricia, most affectionately by her husband; Myrtle by her eldest daughter; Grams by her grandson, Russell & Great-Grams by her youngest grandson – she loved hearing all of them said often.

She passed away on a Friday, March 15, 2019, not far from one of her favorite places to visit, the resting place of her Mother & Grandmother, in Ruston. God knew it was time to finally let her join her beloved husband & others who passed away before her.

She left behind a daughter, Lovelle Ann Johnston-Keen Blitch (James Buchanan Blitch Jr), grandchildren, Russell Clark Pottharst Jr, Laura Beth Robichaux-Bailey, Claire Elise Robichaux-Ganssle, Dave Michael Robichaux & great-grandson Cohen Blake Pottharst.

She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Clifford Keen; daughter Judy Ann Johnston-Robichaux; and brothers Joseph Tillman Swails & Bert Hugh Swails.

If you knew her, you’d know that she adored eating out, especially at buffets, where she could consume unmerciful amounts of food; but, always kept room for chocolate desserts.

She loved to spend entire days at the movies – same theatre – different movies & never got bored sitting for so long.

She loved home shopping channels & had a fine collection what she thought she might use someday.

She also left a lot of stuff for her daughter to go through – no idea what to do with it; but, reading through the mass of notes that she left with every piece of memorabilia has been entertaining.

She saved every card & photo received from anyone & everything ever made for her, especially if made by a child; so, don’t be surprised if you receive a little package in the mail with something that you made a very long time ago.

She participated in every senior activity available every day that she could, even in the annual Mardi Gras “Walker” Parade!

The sun rose & set with her grandchildren, & her great-grandson was her rainbow.

Among her varied interests, she loved participating in weekend race-walks & I’ll bet she was keeping that pace from the minute she arrived in Heaven until she found Tommy!

She loved liver & onions, well done (tasteless) steak, enormous hamburgers, & chocolate malts.

She never missed sending a birthday card & she loved getting phone calls very late at night, when she was always still up watching old movie re-runs.

She loved not only her own children; but, also adored her nurse-neighbor, Angelle Weber & her children & treasured the cards & photos they often sent ‘till her very last day.

In her younger years, she cooked the best baked macaroni & cheese in the universe & made garlic dip that could make a bulldog break a chain!

Among her most favorite pastimes was surprise travel with Tommy & her grandson, Russell, to anywhere & everywhere, with absolutely no pre-planning.

Along with that, she was quite the daredevil & against her daughter’s strict orders, would drive, with her grandson, with the sunroof open & no seatbelts, at insanely high speeds & arms up thru the roof!

She leaves behind several very sad hearts; but, that’s not a bad thing.

What we have here is a farewell for a beloved Woman, Mother, Grandmother & Great-Grandmother, born Jan. 8, 1930, in Homer, the daughter of her late mother, Lorna Lovelle Gibson, father, Donald Hugh Swails, & stepmother, Agnes Sula Swails.

It would be remiss to omit sharing enormous gratitude to those who lovingly cared so much in the end – everyone at The Arbor & Terrace of Ruston.

She was laid to rest, on a Friday, March 22, 2019, beside her husband, & we know that they are already driving to points unknown on another unplanned adventure!

She planned her funeral in advance down to the smallest detail & as per her very specific wishes, her farewell was graveside where she will be interred at Lake Lawn Park Cemetery and Mausoleum. You are invited to sign & leave caring thoughts at lakelawnmetairie.com.

Please give generously to Compassus Hospice, 100 S Trenton St, Ruston, LA 71270, in her memory.

And please note her change of address to her new place of residence, The Pearly Gates of Heaven.