Ada Hayes Keating

Ada Hayes Keating, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2025, at the age of 87. She was born on April 12, 1938, in Lillis, Kansas, and made the Kansas City area her home for over 60 years. She and her husband, Maurice, remained deeply connected to their hometown community throughout their lives. They own a farm in Marshall County and, together with lifelong friends, founded the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Lillis Township. As the town began to shrink and the last general store was lost to a fire, Ada and Maurice—alongside Bud and Betty Keating, with the help of family and friends—built a tavern that they ran on weekends. It became a cherished gathering place for friends and neighbors, a testament to their enduring love for community and tradition. Ada was the beloved wife of Maurice Keating and a devoted mother to six children: Mark Keating, Julie Maurer (Craig), Diana Keating, Dan Keating (Denise), Michael/Spike Keating (Rachel Scanza), and Gary Keating (Nicole). She was a proud and loving grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Chase Maurer (Mandy), Austin Maurer (Skyler), Kayla Maurer, Jared Keating (Tuyen), Sean Keating (Natalie), Mallory Jackson (Christian), Erin Keating, Hayes Keating, Jackson Keating, Finley Keating, and Ike Keating—and a cherished great-grandmother to seven great-grandchildren, with another expected later this year. Ada was one of 14 siblings, a background that shaped her deep sense of family, resilience, and generosity. She carried those values with her throughout her life, creating a warm and welcoming home filled with laughter, faith, and unconditional love. She will be remembered for her deep love for children—not only her own, but every baby she ever held. She had a special touch that brought calm and comfort to little ones, and her nurturing heart left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Ada also faced her share of life’s struggles. Her father, Malachy Hayes, passed away when she was in her twenties—a significant loss for their large family. She also lost her brother, Pat, and her sister, Ann, both in their youth. Perhaps the greatest challenge came later in life, when she faced Alzheimer’s disease for more than a decade. Her most difficult loss came in 2021 with the passing of her beloved son, Mark. Because of the disease, the loss of Mark was amplified - she would remember, forget, and then relive his death again and again, each time as if for the first time, each time with a fresh heartbreak. Memories faded, friendships went untended, and relationships stalled. But it’s about the connection—and we know that now she’s remembering us, just as we are remembering her, with her Irish eyes eternally smiling. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Sacred Heart Church in Shawnee, Kansas, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Services will be live streamed. The live stream will begin shortly before services start. https://boxcast.tv/view/ada-keating-funeral-aocfwe6ojltdftgtzezt Graveside services and burial will take place at 4:00 PM Friday, June 27, 2025, St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Lillis, KS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Community Hospice or Sacred Heart Church in Shawnee, Kansas, in Ada’s memory.

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Ada Hayes Keating

April 12, 1938 - June 19, 2025