Mona Keenan Deighan Volante, loved God, family

Mona Keenan Deighan Volante, 89, of Lewes, formerly of Easton, Md., passed away surrounded by her loving family Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at her home.

Mona was born in Montreal, Canada Aug. 6, 1929, daughter of the late Thomas Philip Keenan and the late Catherine Susan (Collins) Keenan.  She began her undergraduate studies at McGill University, Canada and Fordham University in New York and completed her bachelor’s degree from Salisbury State, and also obtained her Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland.

Mona had a variety of professions from serving as a manager for Air Canada to working for Avon as a district sales manager, to becoming a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical, where she had her own successful private practice. 

Mona was a vivacious, loving and giving woman who enjoyed volunteering and helped to bring comfort to those who were hurting.  She served as Eucharistic Minister and ran the Good Grief Group at St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach for several years that touched many lives.  She also taught several different classes for the Academy of Lifelong Learning, including grief courses, and was a member of Teams of Our Lady and the Travelers Writing Club.

Her life was very full and she was always grateful for all she was given.  She enjoyed giving to local and national charities.  Mona was a very talented skier and horseback rider, and had the opportunity to travel the world.  She also loved to talk politics and any current events.  Mona will be remembered for her love of God, family and her giving spirit.  She was very blessed.

Mona was preceded in death by her first husband, George Eugene Deighan, who passed in 1981, and her second husband, William Volante, who passed in 2005. She was also preceded in death by her loving brothers and sister, Tommy, Kathleen, Eddie, Fred and Pat.

She is survived by nine children, Judy Faulkner (Jim), Bob Deighan (Debbie), Doreen Patrick (Stan), Susanne Horseman (Larry), Karen Ervin (Rick), Kevin Deighan (Terry), Richard Deighan (Lori), Mary McKenna (Mike) and Cathy Deighan; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., with a visitation starting at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Mona’s name to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 800-2272345 or online www.cancer.org, or Vitas Healthcare (Hospice) 255 East 5th St., Suite 1200, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 888-232-6111 or online www.vitascommunityconnections.org.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.