Rosanne (Foley) McKeon, 89, of Hudson, N.H., died Nov. 26 after a long and dignified struggle with dementia.

Born in 1932 in Newton, Mass., Rosanne was the youngest of Albert and Rosanna (Blakeney) Foley's six children. She had a happy childhood. She enjoyed walking with her four sisters and brother to West Newton Cinema for weekend day-long movie marathons, ice skating on Bullough's Pond, and shopping for dolls on Moody Street in nearby Waltham.

She later recalled how much of that happiness was lost in 1945 when her brother, James Foley, was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. His sacrifice and the civic virtues of the World War II era shaped Rosanne's life: She had an unbreakable love for her country and believed in hard work. She also followed the example of her parents and older siblings by seeing the best in people and treating everyone she met with compassion and generosity.

In 1965, while working for the Brae Burn Country Club in Newton, she met an equally big-hearted person, Charles McKeon. They saw the movie "Dr. Zhivago" on their first date and married two years later. They had two children, Albert and Mary.

Rosanne and Charles' marriage lasted two days shy of 14 years; he died suddenly at the age of 50. Again, tragedy upended Rosanne's life and she responded with grace and courage, raising two children on her own without complaint and with great sacrifice and love. She ensured her children had what they needed to grow up healthy and happy in a loving home. She also was quick to make lunches, dinners, and tasty ice cream frappes for her children's friends.

Late into life, Rosanne continued to enjoy spending time with her sisters, meeting them for restaurant lunches, bargain shopping, and dinners at their homes. She also loved music, listening to songs of her day and her children's time. She tapped her feet and sang along to Johnny Cash, U2, Bruce Springsteen, and Andrea Bocelli.

Rosanne is survived by her daughter, Mary; her son, Albert, his girlfriend, Patricia, and their two children, Joey and Grace; and her two dogs, Charley and Sally. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, and friends. Aside from her brother James, she was predeceased by her sisters Mary "Mae" Vossberg, Helen Brackett, Alice Hanley, and June Collins; their husbands; nephews James Brackett and John Hanley; niece Janet Walden; and great-nephew Joseph Kurland.

Instead of flowers, please consider donating to Alzheimer's Association.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, on FRIDAY, Dec. 2nd, at her childhood parish Mary Immaculate of Lourdes, 270 Elliot Street, Newton Upper Falls, followed by her burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury, Mass. Arrangements entrusted to the care of ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES.