Mary L. Keune

Mary L. Keune, 91, of Toledo, Ohio passed peacefully in her sleep the night of Sunday, April 14, 2024. She was born on September 27, 1932 in Olive Hill, Kentucky to the late George A. and Thelma (Kiser) Saulsberry.

Mary graduated from Olive Hill High School in 1950. She received a Bachelor of Science from Morehead State College (1955) and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Michigan (1958) and from the University of Toledo (1994). She continued her studies until her first grandchild arrived.

She met the love of her life, the late Donald J. Keune, when she backed into his roommate’s car. They were married on January 14, 1956 in her hometown of Olive Hill.

In 1955, she began her teaching career as an English instructor at the L’Anse Creuse High School in Mt. Clemens, Michigan and later at Edmonson Junior High School in Willow Run, Michigan. Upon moving to Toledo in 1960, she worked for many years in the Toledo Public School system teaching English and American History.

Mary’s love of learning remained a constant throughout her life, and this is reflected in her active memberships in various organizations focused on art, literature, history, education and theatre including the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and The Toledo Museum of Art where she served as Docent President from 1980 to 1981.

In addition to cherishing time spent with family and friends, she and Don enjoyed traveling both domestically and internationally. For many years, they were annual ticketholders at Canada’s Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Entertaining at their Lake Erie cottage also brought her great pleasure.

Mary and Don were married over 66 years when he passed in 2022. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine (Peter) Datillo; sons: George (Karen) and Grant (Laura) Keune; and nine grandchildren: Sarah, Anne (Conner), William, Lucya, Grayling and Henry Keune and Isabella, Alexander and Nicholas Datillo. Her brother, William A. Saulsberry, preceded her in death.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks and appreciation for the kindness and compassion shown by the dedicated caregivers from Kingston Residence of Perrysburg and from Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Mary will be remembered and celebrated in a private service after cremation and upon burial in the Mackinac Island Public Cemetery, Mackinac Island, Michigan. Memorials may be designated for Hospice of Northwest Ohio, The Toledo Museum of Art or AAUW.