Shirley D. Keates

Shirley D. Keates of Flemington, NJ passed away on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 at the age of 87. Shirley was born in the New Market section of Piscataway on Dec. 3, 1931 to August and Mary Howes. She married her husband William on Oct. 15, 1949 and they happily raised their family of six children in Piscataway. As a stay at home mom, there was always a roast in the oven and enough food to feed whoever showed up for dinner. Family was the most important part of her life, she was happiest with a house full of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family or friends. Shirley loved Christmas, birthdays, going out for a bite, gardening, painting, ceramics, and being a friend to all. Shirley and Bill were members of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Piscataway, Our Lady of Mt. Virgin Church in Middlesex and St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish in Flemington. In 2006 Shirley and Bill left Piscataway and moved to the Herman Kapp Residence in Flemington and enjoyed making new friends there. She is predeceased by her husband William Keates in 2007, her parents, her siblings and their spouses, Gerard and Josephine Howes, Augusta and John Donnelly, Marie and Charlie Seyerle. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Bill and Dena Keates of OKC, OK, Deb and Ed Figiel of Ringoes, NJ, Jeff and Nancy Keates of Newton, NJ, Jonathan and Karen Keates of Middletown, NJ, Donna and Steve Dinkelo, Clinton, NJ and Cindy and Charlie Haug of Flemington, NJ. Grandchildren, Kristin Santana, Scott Figiel, Will Keates, Peter Keates, Jessica Lambert, Candice Testa, Ashley Papcun, Katie Keates, Laney Keates, Lauren Waters, Jonathan Keates, Meghan Keates, Charlie Haug, Alyse Bastone and all their spouses. Great grandchildren, Sebastian, Alexandra, Jackson, Alden, Jackson, Brekin, Ella, Bryn, Francie, Amelia, Ariella, Alaina, Angelo, Salvatore, Chase, Landon and Scarlett. A private memorial service is being planned at the Carmelite Monastery under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home in Flemington NJ. Interment will be private in St. Magdalen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley's name may be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 215 Route 31, Flemington, NJ 08822 or to The Carmelite Monastery, 26 Harmony School Road, Flemington NJ 08822. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.