Ann Eileen Keane

Obituary For Ann Eileen Keane

Beloved mother and grandmother Ann Eileen (Lally) Keane passed away at 5:15am on September 4, 2025, in Burlington, WA.

Ann was born in Richfield, MN on February 12, 1946, to Bob and Donna Lally. She and her four sisters, Susan, Judy, Mary, and Bobbie were raised in Burien, WA. Ann graduated from Highline High School, and after a brief stint as a Dental Hygienist, she and her sister Sue joined their father, an airline pilot, to work for Northwest Orient Airlines. Ann traveled the world as an airline hostess.

It was during that time that she met James Keane, and together they enjoyed the travel benefits until their first son Chris was born. After a few years in Spokane, where James began working in radio, they moved to Burlington, WA to acquire their own radio station. Over the next thirty years, they built that small station, KAPS Radio, into Valley Broadcasting, which included acquiring another local station, KBRC. They had two more children, Kelly and Ryan, and enjoyed a fun life together, continuing their love of travel as well as boating and skiing.

Ann and Jim retired to Kauai, HI, where Jim passed on January 17, 2013. Ann was not alone, however, as Kelly and Ryan also lived on Kauai, and Chris on Oahu. Ann had ten beautiful years on Kauai before moving back to WA in 2021, settling in La Conner with the company of her daughter and son-in-law Kelly and Madek.

Ann was passionate, creative, and a dreamer. She had big ideas and always encouraged others to follow their dreams. She was inspiring to those around her, often seeking a deeper connection and genuinely wanting to know what made people tick. With her open mind and natural curiosity about life, Ann left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

She was also a naturally gifted artist, spending many years devoted to her passion for oil painting. Along with her imaginative writing, her art reflected her love of beauty, creativity, and the spirit of exploration that guided her life.

Ann loved to inspire people with her words and actions. She had a saying that will live in the hearts of all who knew her: “Show up as yourself, be present in the moment, and tell the truth as you know it.” She also often shared her lighthearted motto: “May the force be with you.”

Ann will be remembered for her bright personality, kind generosity, and the way she inspired others to dream big.

She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Susan Thomas, her husband James Keane, and her son Chris.

Ann was laid to rest next to James and Chris at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville, WA.

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