Josephine Keats

Celebrating goodness in the life of Josephine Keats

Josephine Keats (Badalamenti)

Jo was born in Astoria NY on Halloween 1932. She met a young handsome college kid in 1950 at Farmingdale College, James Valentine Keats. They fell in love and married at St Kilian’s Roman Catholic Church in 1954 and settled on Staples Street in Farmingdale where they raised 4 boys. 

Jo was a bank teller who was injured in the well-known explosion at Farmingdale Federal Savings in 1952. She survived that and became very active in the community. Jo played an enormous role while her husband, cousins and friends began a fledgling Farmingdale Midget Football Association. The “Hawks” organization grew fast with James at the helm starting with 2 teams, then 4, then 6 with cheerleading teams and farm teams. The organization was a remarkable success. Jo, in addition to supporting her husband in this mighty effort took on many roles in the organization including leadership in the Ladies Auxiliary, Food and Concession management and more. 

In the early 70’s Jo was inspired to help others in need and participated in a suicide hotline for the Farmingdale community.

In 1979 Jo and Jim moved out of their home community and moved to the beauty and wonder of upstate New York living, first in Granville NY and then to Saratoga. Jo loved Saratoga but of course missed her family and friends on Long Island. Jim passed in 2003 and Jo returned to her much beloved Farmingdale. There she resumed her active community life while living in the Hardscrabble Apartments. There she held the position on the board of Treasurer for many years.

A warm, gracious, loving person who gave far more than she ever took. Material things never meant a thing to her, but love, family, giving and devotion to Jesus and the catholic church carried her through her later years. She so loved whatever time she could get with her sons, their wives, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jo will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and her cackling laugh. More than that, she will be forever loved for the goodness she gave and the love she bestowed upon her 4 boys, Rob, Ron, Jamie and John.

The family will receive visitors Sunday, October 11th, 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Arthur White Funeral Home, Inc., at 315 Conklin Street, Farmingdale.  A Mass in her honor will be held on Monday, October 12th at 9:45 am at St. Kilian RC Church, Farmingdale. Cremation will be private. Josephine will be interred at Saratoga National Cemetery with her husband Jim at a later date. Donations in Josephine's memory can be made to St Kilian Outreach; 140 Elizabeth Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735 or www.stkilian.com.

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