Sharai Keating Obituary

Sharai Keating, nee Hanson, age 87, of Villa Park. Beloved wife of the late James Keating, Sr.; loving mother of James, Jr. and Kelly (Jim); dear daughter of the late Bert and the late Jeanette Hanson; devoted grandmother of Christopher, Grace and Dominick; fond sister of Darlene, Lois, and the late Pat, the late Jackie, the late Bob, the late Peggy, the late Kathy, the late Mary and the late John; aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Sharai was born to Bert and Jeanette Hanson in Chicago, IL, where she was raised in the Logan Square neighborhood. Sharai was the fifth child of ten children. She helped to raise her younger siblings when she lost her father as a teenager. Sharai attended Alvernia High School in Chicago where she graduated in 1956.

Sharai met her sweetheart, Jim Keating, Sr., while carpooling with a friend who was dating Jim's brother. Sharai married her soulmate, Jim, on November 29, 1958, shortly after his return from the Marines. They did everything together. They were always playing cards or cribbage and doing crossword puzzles. Later in life they would frequently take unplanned road trips to various parts of the country to visit historical locations.

Sharai also attended each and every youth baseball game along with her husband that their son, Jim, was playing in. She would always bring her lawn chair, a pitcher of water, and plant herself along the first base line. Often with her sister Lois in tow. This went on for several years.

Over the years Sharai had many occupations. She worked at Woolworths at the lunch counter in Chicago, where Jim would often visit. She had a newspaper route, where she would take her two sleeping children in the car with her as she delivered the papers. For most of her life she worked for Donald McClean and Company as an accountant.

Sharai loved her family and had a calm and serene energy about her. She was always willing to lend an ear. Sharai led a life demonstrated by grace. She had care, compassion, kindness and empathy for all. "To each, their own" was her motto. One she verbalized frequently. She held her family and close friends dear to her heart. She adored her grandchildren.

She could frequently be found doing crossword puzzles while a game show was on TV in the background. She was also a lifelong Cubs and Notre Dame football fan.

One of her favorite hobbies was to crochet and make afghans for people, she loved to give them away as random gifts for a favor done for her, or for no reason at all. Spreading joy was something she did naturally.

Sharai was optimistic and brave, always looking on the bright side and accepting whatever challenges life put in her way. She was stoic. Even in the face of the debilitating and often painful health challenges she encountered later in life, she never complained. Often, she remained aware that others had much harder challenges in their own lives and felt empathy for them. She also had a very strong faith in God, and God's plan.

Sharai's family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Bella Terra of Lombard and Elmhurst Hospital Unit 5 West for their love and care.

Funeral Mass on September 27th, beginning with In State gathering 9:45 AM until time of Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM, at St. Alexander's Catholic Church, 300 S. Cornell Ave, Villa Park, Illinois. Service will be livestreamed on the St. Alexander Catholic Church YouTube Channel Interment, Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. Consider memorials to Chi-Town Pitties, Inc.

Funeral info: steuerlefh.com or (630) 832-4161.