Joan Carolyn Keeney was born May 17, 1932, in Newberg, Missouri. She passed from this life on July 20, 2022, in Ahwahnee, California, at the age of 90.
Joan Carolyn Keeney.
She was the 2nd daughter born to Lindsay Martin Keeney and Mary Ellen Slaughter. At age three, Joan and her parents moved from Missouri to Bakersfield, California. She attended Bakersfield High School and graduated in 1950. Soon after graduation, Joan fell in love and married Gioacchino (Gino) Joseph DiGiorgio on July 2, 1950, in Arvin, California. From this union came three daughters, Sara Lynne, Teresa Elizabeth and Gina Suzanne. She lived in various states throughout her life, finally settling in Oakhurst, California, where she fell in love with the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Joan really enjoyed going to church, going out to lunch with friends and family, helping others, researching genealogy, reading books, and traveling all over the United States. Her favorite place was Yosemite National Park. She never tired of visiting there and knew and loved every part of it.
At the age of 52, Joan served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all those she would meet. She loved the Lord and made sure that others would have an opportunity to know and love Him, too.
Joan worked over 44 years in the escrow business and retired from Chicago Title in Oakhurst, California at the age of 65.
After retiring she spent much of her time researching her genealogy. She became a member of the National Daughters of the American Revolution, after discovering her 4th great-grandfather, Leonard Garrett, had served in the Revolutionary War. This was thrilling news to her, for she was truly a patriot and loved this country.
Joan’s services were held on July 28, 2022, and she was interred in the Oakhill Cemetery in Oakhurst, California. She is survived by her three daughters, Sara L. DiGiorgio (Barbara), Teresa E. DiGiorgio (Ken) and Gina S. Raynor (Guy/Radar); her sister Shirley L. Sprague; her niece Tammy Backman, six grandchildren Carol Lynne Douglas, Amy Katherine Douglas (Steve Stewart), Amanda Suzanne Hill, Brandon Joseph Raynor (Daynielle), Kara Nicole Raynor, and Jesse Leigh Raynor (Sarah), 12 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Forever in our hearts.
