Evelyn Keene

Keene, Evelyn of Chicago, IL, formerly of Brookline, MA, on November 6, 2014.  Wife of the late Alfred Keene.  Devoted mother of Judith Keene Greenspan and her husband, Neil of Shaker Heights, OH; Leila Keene of Chicago, IL; and Michael Keene and his wife Laura of Wellesley, MA.  Dear grandmother of Aaron and Simon Greenspan, and Eliza, Sara and David Keene.  Dear sister of Morton Brown of Stoughton, MA and the late Alfred, Samuel and Ruben Brown.  Burial will be private.  The family will sit Shiva on Monday, November 10, 2014 from 1:00 – 9:00 pm and Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 from 1:00 – 9:00 pm at the home of Laura and Michael Keene,  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Hadassah: http://www.hadassah.org, or  Best Buddies Illinois:http://www.bestbuddiesillinois.org.

A graduate of  Boston University School of Journalism, Evelyn was one of the first women to work for the United Press in Maine.  She was the West Suburban correspondent at Boston Globe for more than 10 years and was freelance writer for the Boston Jewish Times.  She published stories for the Centre Street Journal and self-published two memoirs of her life.  After her long career in journalism, she went on to become a top salesperson for Saks Fifth Avenue in Boston.  Evelyn finished her career working with her son, Michael in the family business, Keene Promotion, of Boston and Newton, MA.

Evelyn was the recipient of many awards, including the Charlie Brown Award for environmental concern in rehabilitating the Charles River, Cigar Smokers of America award, Toast Masters International award and Suffolk University Law School Volunteer Award.  Evelyn and Alfred were founders of Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA.  She was active in the Women’s Scholarship Association and Hadassah.