Published in the November 19, 2019 edition.

WAKEFIELD — Maureen “Moe” Louise Keating, 61, passed away at home on November 13, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born February 10, 1958 in Medford to the late James and Marilyn (Olson) Hess.

The world did not know what it was getting itself into when “Moe” made an appearance.  Maureen grew up in Stoneham, along with her five siblings, graduating from Stoneham High School in 1976. She later went on to bring her two girls into the world, and thus began the adventures of “The Three Musketeers.”

Maureen and her girls settled in Wakefield where she owned a home. Maureen was quite the home decorator, and fashionista, taking any excuse to go shopping. Her home, warm and welcoming, was often filled with family and friends, much laughter and fun times. Maureen lived a life constantly surrounded by friends and family. She loved bringing everyone together and was certainly the “hostess with the mostest.”

Hosting many parties over the years, including every holiday, her annual “Summa Party” on the deck, and “Lobster Party” with her girlfriends. Maureen was always the life of any get together, although her quirky sense of humor often required explaining. When she was not surrounded by her many friends and family, she enjoyed “chilling” by her pool and a nice breeze in her backyard. She had a giant heart, was selfless, caring and completely devoted to her family and friends. That was Maureen. She was always putting others before herself, even during her own struggles.

She is survived by her two daughters and their spouses, Melissa and Tom DelRossi, Jennifer Sullivan and Drew Richards, her three grandchildren, whom she adored, Zoerose DelRossi, Lily and Gracie Richards, her brothers, Wayne and David Hess, sister, Nancy Meagher, mother, Anna Hess, and partner, John Silvonic. Maureen is predeceased by her sister, Deborah Hess, and brother, Jimmy Hess, along with a multitude of unimpressive restaurants over the years that became “dead to her,” as she would put it.

Despite the many challenges she faced during this past year, Maureen always found the good in every day, cracking off-color jokes to the nurses and doctors during her appointments, continuing to make those around her smile.

Maureen always had a way of finding humor in some of the hardest moments in life. For those of you reading this, some who may know Maureen, others who are just those strange people that read the obituary section of the paper, please take a moment today to count your blessings, celebrate the beauty in the everyday, and laugh often.

Maureen’s Cocktail for a Good Life:

~pour in some love…many shots

~stir in a good joke

~a splash of crazy

Enjoy

Visitation will be held at the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main St., Stoneham on Friday, November 22 from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment, Lindenwood Cemetery in Stoneham. All friends and family are invited to join Maureen’s celebration. We ask those that come to celebrate Maureen’s life with us, please wear a bright color in honor of a colorful soul.

In lieu of flowers, Maureen requested that a donation be made for a cancer organization of your choosing.