Athena Keena
October 11, 1941 ~ December 18, 2023
Donations can be made Athena’s name to charity of your choice.
The story of a life well lived.
Athena Keena of Smithtown, NY passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on the morning of December 18th, 2023.
Athena was born to Theohary and John Moskovey of Greenport, NY. She is survived by her younger sister Adrienne, Gerard Keena, her husband of 53 years, and her son Gerard Keena, II. Athena cherished her role as an older sister and lived to help guide her sister and reveled in her sister’s successes.
Growing up, her family owned a diner in downtown Greenport where everyone knew them. In the summers, their extended family members would visit to enjoy the beautiful East End of Long Island.
In 1959, Athena finished her studies at Greenport high school and continued her education at Adelphi College, graduating in 1963. After college, she began working in what would become a lifelong career educating grade schoolers. She began that career at Sweet Briar Elementary School in Smithtown, NY.
While working at Sweet Briar, she was introduced to Gerard Keena, who taught at another local school. After courting for a few years, they married in 1969. In 1972 Athena and Gerry had their first and only child, Gerard. Athena continued teaching until 2001 when she retired from Dogwood Elementary. Throughout her career, she was admired and beloved by her students and colleagues alike. Outside of her love for teaching, she was passionate about history and the arts.
Athena loved to travel with her husband and son. Each summer they traveled to California in their VW camper van so that they could spend the summers studying, gardening, and exploring the West coast. When they could, they traveled abroad and would include both of their widowed mothers and Gerry’s brother in their travels.
Those who were lucky enough to know her could not help but be caught up in her seemingly boundless joy and happiness. She was a dedicated wife and mother who adored her family and friends. She was known for her entertaining and preparing way too much food all with a cheery smile on her face while declaring that it was fun for her. She leaves behind many close friends both in New York and California as well as around the world. Even though there may have been miles between them, she kept in touch with everyone through her annual holiday cards which included an update on all the family events of the past year.
Without exception all that knew her loved her!
Services
Visitation: Wednesday, December 27, 2023 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Branch Funeral Home Smithtown
190 E. Main St.
SMITHTOWN, NY 11787
Service: Thursday, December 28, 2023 10:00 am
Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption
430 Sheep Pasture Road
PORT JEFFERSON, NY 11777
Interment: Thursday, December 28, 2023 12:00 pm
Cutchogue Cemetery
30535 Main Rd
Cutchogue, NY 11935
(516) 449-9313
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My sympathy to family and friends.
1966-1967 I taught fifth grade with Miss Moskowitz/Athena Keena and Mr. Joseph Lechleiter. I was a first year teacher and they were my expert mentors. We were a good team. Mr. Potter Penguins was the play that the her students performed. It was a great hit. Most children were penguins and fortunately all her students’ mothers were up to the challenge of sewing costumes for them. She and the kindergarten teacher (Mis Cave?) had traveled cross country that summer. Her family had owned a Diner in LI. I was so impressed that they had done that and looked up to them.
The images of Miss Moskovey reading “A Wrinkle in Time” while she elegantly walked up and down the rows between our desks at Sweetbriar is still etched in my mind and rightfully so.
Our country was torn apart by war, which made everything difficult, including our education.
I hope my 6th grade teacher knew how well she succeeded in both educating us back then and preparing us for an ever changing world.
My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
I was a teacher a Dogwood Elementary when I had the pleasure of meeting Athena Keena. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.There have been very few outstanding teachers in my teaching life but Athena was at the top of my list. She was perfect. No amount of words can truly describe her. I am only sorry that I didn’t know she was ill. I feel so bad for her husband and son whom she adored and spoke about them with such love. If special teachers could be cloned, Athena would be right there front and center. Farewell Athena. Heaven has received a special person.
My heart is breaking for Gerry and his son. Gerry and my husband Kent were long time friends. We always looked forward to seeing Gerry and Athena. Athena was a wonderful caring person. I’m blessed to have known her My thoughts and prayers and love and hugs to Gerry ,Gerard and the whole family
Athena was an amazing, wonderful, friendly, supportive, helpful and amazing person!!! She was a part of our Sunday morning group that used to walk and then meet at Starbucks…but are now connected on Zoom. Athena always had interesting and heartwarming stories and updates to share with us. She was such a kind person who knew how to make everyone feel loved. Athena will be missed and loved forever.
Bruce Cook
She will be sorely missed !
My deepest condolences to the family ….
Athena and Gerry were friends on our world cruise.. Athena was part of our dance team. We enjoyed sharing many dinners together and continued our friendship when we returned home. Athena always had a smile on her face and a joyful disposition. She will be missed!
Athena was the name of a goddess, and she lived up to the name. She wad kind and caring and fun. She was smart and generous and gracious! I was connected to her via the Sunday walking group which morphed into the Sunday meeting on Zoom. I will miss Athena for the rest of my life.
I knew Athena from the walking and Starbucks group which morphed into a weekly Zoom meeting. Athena was loving and caring and fun! She was generous and smart and gracious. I will miss her for the rest of my life. Athena is the name of a goddess and my friend lived up to that name!
My condolences to her family and. friends, who will be in my thoughts.