Janet A. Kealy

Janet A. Kealy

April 23, 1930 – April 24, 2025

She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Earl “Pat” Kealy, and daughters, Teresa Kealy and Susan Watson. Her loving children survive her: Connie Gibilisco (Rick), Maureen Theby (Mike), Jane Schomer, Pat Kealy (Pam), Mike Kealy (Karen), Laura Kealy Fallon (Alex), and Maria Herber (Jim); brother, John Walters (Susan).  Janet’s legacy lives on through 22 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

VISITATION: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm with Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, April 30th at 10:30am at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 16701 “S” Street.  GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Wednesday, 2:30pm at St. Joseph Cemetery in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Memorials are suggested to Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard Scholarship Fund and/or St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

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Our beloved Mother, Janet Alice Boyer Kealy, passed away on April 24, 2025, surrounded by family when she took her last breath.  It was just one day after her 95^th birthday. She became affectionately known to her family as “Granny Jan.”

Janet was born on April 23, 1930, in Council Bluffs, Iowa where she spent her childhood. She was the first born of three daughters to Rueben A. Boyer and Helen Rachel Boyer.  Despite the challenges presented by the depression, Janet was a motivated child who grew up in a close-knit neighborhood with many friends. She was a great student at Thomas Jefferson High School, and involved in many community activities.  Janet was beautiful and fun loving, often posing for silly photos with friends who remained lifelong companions.

After high school, Janet enrolled in nursing school together with her two lifelong friends, both named Jackie. Janet paused her nursing education for over two decades to become married to Earl Patrick (“Pat”) Kealy, who was a handsome, young soldier that had returned from the war and caught her eye.  They were married on Valentines Day, 1950, and were together for over 74 years. Ten months after her wedding, Janet and Pat welcomed their first of 9 children, seven girls and two boys. 

Janet and Pat first lived in the country outside of Council Bluffs in the early years of their marriage.  In 1956, they crossed the river and moved to a home near Saint Cecilia’s Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska when their fifth child was on the way. When Janet attended her 10-year high school reunion, she was pregnant with her seventh child!

In 1965, Janet and Pat built a new family home in Ralston, Nebraska and remained there for the next 57 years.  Janet signed the kids up for piano, swim lessons, classes, tap dance, baton lessons, drama and sports of every type and for every season. She became a dedicated girl scout leader, volunteered to organize fund raisers and her home was an open door for family, neighbors and friends. Janet seemed happiest when she had a baby in her arms, something that continued through her advanced age as she enjoyed many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had an almost magic ability to notice and disarm the shyest and most guarded children and integrate them into Granny Jan’s circle.  And she could do so subtly while hosting large gatherings of family and friends for meals, holidays, birthdays or other occasions. 

What Janet accomplished in providing for her kids and husband was nothing short of superhuman, and her work was never done. The meal preparations, the cleaning, the dishes, shopping for groceries, doctor visits and mothering, very often while pregnant, was endless. Most people can only imagine, or perhaps fear, the monumental task it was to keep up on laundering clothes, towels, cloth diapers, and bedding for 11 family members on a daily basis. Her responsibilities only increased when the chickenpox, mumps, measles, colds and flus decided to visit the family, not sparing Janet. 

Janet returned to college at UNO in the late 1970s and persevered until she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse. She relished the opportunity to work outside the home once her kids were mostly grown, and the satisfaction that comes with making her own money and getting paid for her hard work.

Janet had a passion for collecting antiques and filling her house with “treasures.”  She took great pleasure in watching and feeding birds year-round and battling the squirrels who pirated her bird feeder. The Cardinal was her favorite bird of all. Janet also devoted much time to the genealogy of our family and shared with extended family what she learned about our ancestors.   It almost seemed that her favorite hobby was remembering the dozens of birthdays and finding a way to make contact with her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, even into her 90s. 

In her later years, Janet spent much of her time reading, bird watching and consuming Hallmark television shows and movies – sometimes shedding a tear or two.  Janet was a selfless, seemingly tireless and giving person, and we will miss her every day.

Janet was predeceased by her husband Earl Pat Kealy, her parents, younger sister Shirlee Veverka (Charlie), as well as daughters Teresa Kealy and Susan Watson, and grandchildren Shelli Dawdy and Mike Leslie. 

Janet is survived by her sister Donna Wood (Charles), brother, John Walters (Susan), seven adult children, Collen Gibilisco (Rick), Maureen Theby (Mike), Jane Schomer, Pat Kealy (Pam), Mike Kealy (Karen), Laura Fallon (Alex) and Maria Herber (Jim); Janet is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude for the kind support and care provided by those from CCA Home Care – Aderonke, Lucia, Felicity, Teresa and Comfort.  Special thanks to Tonja Bunner for your caring and companionship shown to our mother in her last years.  We also thank Dr. Kirti Gupta as well as the folks at Lakeside Immanuel Assisted Living and the healthcare providers at CHI Health Immanuel for the outstanding care and services.

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West Center Chapel,  7805 W. Center Rd., Omaha 68124  |  402-391-3900  |  www.heafeyheafey.com