Veronica Mary Keaton

Veronica Mary Keaton, a longtime resident of Beckley, passed away in Fletcher, NC, surrounded by her loving family on January 20, 2013. She was born Veronica Mary Droppleman on July 24, 1924 to Henry Droppleman and Emma (Maybury) Droppleman in St Clara (Doddridge County), WV.

At the young age of four, Veronica suffered a severe burn after a fireplace flame lit her dress on fire. She went on to recover, and as the eldest daughter, honed her homemaking skills and cared for her brothers and sisters under her mother’s tutelage. She advanced in school, graduating from Doddridge County High School in West Union, WV.

Veronica moved to Beckley, WV, to live with her aunt Lavinia Maybury and she studied bookkeeping at Beckley College. She also assisted her aunt in housekeeping for Father John Halpin at the Saint Francis de Sales rectory. She later began employment as a bookkeeper at the J.C. Penny department store in downtown Beckley.

She met Robert (Bob) Keaton in 1947 and they were married in January of 1949. They established a lovely and very clean home for their four daughters: Patricia Shea of Boulder, CO; Dr. Barbara Keaton of Oakdale, PA; Dr. Nancy Keaton of Fletcher, NC and Catherine “Katie” Brasted of New Orleans, LA.

Veronica later worked as office manager at Cabell Heights Water and Gas Company where she retired after 26 years. She was very active in her church, St Francis de Sales, as a dedicated member of the Ladies of St Francis. She was especially proud of her young daughters and as an accomplished seamstress, dressed them in her beautifully created dresses with matching coats. Later, she made their wedding gowns and those of many other friends.

She had a great love for gardening, and it showed. Every year, she and Bob filled their yard with gardens of fresh vegetables and rows upon rows of flowers. They were honored to win the City’s “Yard of the Month” on multiple occasions. She was extremely organized in keeping the house and gardens in tip-top shape and still found time to be “one very classy lady”. She was a fantastic cook, especially known for her delicious baked goods – oh, the many cakes, cookies and pies she made (and taste tested) for family and friends.

She loved card games, especially Canasta, which she played very well and took… very seriously. If you were going to play with her, you best have your game face on. She taught her children and grandchildren to play and made evening games a family tradition. Also tradition, she always won.

Veronica is preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Robert Keaton; two sisters, Nancy Kraus and Teresa Moran; and two brothers, Raymond Droppleman and George Droppleman. She is survived by her sister Mary Louise Weber of Weston, WV, and her brother John Droppleman of Fayetteville, WV.

She is survived by nine grandchildren: Christy L. Coleman (Los Angeles); Lesley E. Coleman (New York City); Claire K. Shea (London, UK); Megan F. Shea (Boston); Erika L. Risovich (Fairmont, WV); F. Alexander Risovich (Weirton, WV); Joshua K. Brasted (New Orleans), Chelsea A. Brasted (Baton Rouge) and Hayley M. Brasted (New Orleans). She is also survived by a great-granddaughter, Chancery Morris, and three sons-in-law: Daniel F. Shea (Boulder, CO); Dr. Michael Weaver (Fletcher, NC) and Dr. William S. Brasted (New Orleans).

Visitation services will be held at Calfee Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 pm followed by a rosary at 8:00 p.m. A funeral liturgy will be Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Beckley, WV. with Rev. Perry Malacaman officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to St Francis de Sales Catholic School, 622 South Oakwood Avenue, Beckley, WV 25801.

As Veronica loved to say at family Canasta games, “I’m going out!”

On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.