Virginia Rita Keates

Virginia Rita Keates passed away peacefully on September 29, 2024, one month after her 99th birthday. 

Virginia was born August 28,1925 to Frank and Erin (Koester) Eck in Huntington Beach, California. She always spoke fondly of growing up near the beach and enjoying the southern California sunshine. After high school she attended nursing school at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Amidst the excitement at the end of World War II, Virginia met “Les” at a St. Patrick’s Day dance in 1946. Their romance continued to blossom until Les left the navy to pursue his education in upstate New York. After she finished nursing school in 1947 Ginny and a friend traveled to New York for a visit. It was on this visit that she accepted Les’s marriage proposal. Virginia and Les were married on August 14,1948.  

Throughout the 1950s Ginny and Les lived in several different states: New York, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, Florida, New York (again), and added five children along the way. They settled in Huntington Station on Long Island from 1958 to 1966. They were happy to be close to family again. Ginny enjoyed social events, family trips, and the occasional trip to the city. Ultimately work called Les to Utah. For one last time, Ginny packed up the house and moved the family across the country. As their children grew older, Les and Ginny found much of their Friday nights occupied with square dancing. They became an ever-present couple in the Salt Lake square dancing scene. 

Ginny enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, watching “the tennis,” and sewing. Friends and family could always count on holiday-themed pillowcases, table runners, and hair scrunchies. In her advanced age she continued to stay active and social. She often spent her afternoons at the senior center and enjoyed getting in her “easy” mile walk.

She is preceded in death by her husband Eric Leslie Keates (1978), her son Gregory Keates, and one great granddaughter. She is survived by four children Joanne Perkins, Doug (Tina) Keates, Debbie (Mike) Sroczynski, and Cindy (Troy) Fuller. In addition she leaves behind 10 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 9, 2024, St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Ln, Holladay UT. A luncheon will follow at the Benvegnu Center. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice.