Janet A. (Fleming) Keaney

KEANEY, JANET A. (Fleming) of Westwood passed away suddenly on April 11, 2022 at the age of 74. Janet was born in Dedham MA and attended local schools. She was a Majorette for Dedham High School; a baton twirling cheer-style dance group whose performances often accompanied the marching band during sports events and parades. After High School she continued to coach the Dedham Majorette team as well as began a career based on her love of dance and opened Janet's School of Dancing in 1965. "Miss Janet" would lead her dancers around Massachusetts and the Northeast to participate in various baton and dance competitions, modelling pageants, and were frequent contestants on the local WBZ Community Auditions television talent-show program. Her studio dancers were also a staple at Dedham's Flag Day parade for many years and in recent years, her troupes performed by invitation in Bermuda as well as at Disney in Florida.
Through the years Janet was dedicated to giving back to her community and her dance troupes were often seen entertaining at local Nursing Homes and residential facilities. She also frequently worked with the Norwood Girl Scouts as a volunteer who choreographed their plays and musical events as well as guided them in various dance and movement badge activities. Janet's generous spirit is reflected in the family that she so fiercely loved and the students of all ages and capabilities that she regarded as extended family.
Janet was a social butterfly and loved to pull together a get-together to celebrate life events with friends. Her exemplary planning and management skills were demonstrated through the many birthday parties, showers, and weddings she arranged, and especially through the precision, sparkle, glamour and grandeur of her legendary annual Dance Recitals. Outside of her family, dance, and a good party, she loved the beaches of Cape Cod, the green mountains of Vermont, and found great joy and thrill in riding on the back of a Harley Davidson behind her husband of almost 50 years.
Janet was the beloved wife of the late Kevin R. Keaney. Devoted mother of Kevin R. Keaney Jr. and his wife Susan A. of Walpole and Sean P. Keaney and his wife Susan M. of Foxboro. Loving sister of Florentine M. Locke and her husband William A. of Norwood. Cherished grandmother of Kiera, Kathleen, Jenna, Cristopher and Thomas. Daughter of the late Thomas T. and Florentine A. (Poladian) Fleming. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home 1248 Washington St. Norwood, Tuesday April 19, 2022 at 9:00am followed by a funeral mass at 10:00am at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church 59 Cottage St. Sharon, MA. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022 from 3-8:00pm. Burial will be at New Westwood Cemetery, Westwood, MA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the Shriners Hospital for Children 51 Blossom St. Boston, Massachusetts 02114 www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/boston