Obituary of Laurie Rose Keene

Laurie Jo Keene was born Laurie Jo Rose in Sacramento, California on October 22, 1953. She lived most of her life in Northern California, with a brief time in Paris, France. The homestead she shared with her husband Rodney in Palermo, CA was a source of beauty and solace for her. As a child Laurie had scoliosis and learned the value of exercise at an early age. At 67 years-old she could still do the splits and all the hard Yoga positions. She was a hiker, backpacker, and loved to fish. Laurie had the ability to prepare lavish meals and was known for providing all the Thanksgiving pies (sometimes making dozens over several days to have enough). She was a faithful reader of Bon Appétit magazine, always trying new recipes. Relationships meant everything to Laurie. Her friends knew her as a fount of wisdom and humor, her husband and family knew her as a wellspring of good times, love and nourishment, and her animals knew her as a generous and constant companion. Of all her relationships, her marriage of 18 years to Rodney Keene brought Laurie her greatest joy. Their devotion and love for each other was as beautiful as it was exceptional. Laurie was a dutiful daughter to her mother Wanda Widding, they lived together for most of Wanda’s life. Rodney helped bring joy and love to Wanda’s final years during which the three of them shared a home. It was not possible to be glum in Laurie’s presence. She loved a good game of poker and a good turn on the dance floor. A beautiful woman, Laurie knew how to doll herself up, and always dressed with panache. She attended Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento and received her BA in French from Sacramento State University. Vocationally, Laurie’s skill set and experience was extensive. Her first job was stuffing envelopes at 14. From there she worked as a cocktail waitress, dental hygienist (she had beautiful teeth) and ultimately as a social worker at Far Northern Regional Center for over 25 years. At Far Northern, the bonds she forged with her clients and their families changed countless lives for the better. She simply never took no for an answer, and would beat down any barrier that stood between her and what she knew was right for the people she served. Her creativity and ability to see things in a different way made it possible for people who never knew independence or respect to have both for the first time. The number of Laurie’s interests and skills matched the depth of her curiosity and ability to think with an open mind. She learned how to chart horoscopes, and often gave advice that centered around the Zodiac and placement of the planets. A proud and lifelong Democrat, Laurie was political without being polarizing, she campaigned for her chosen candidates in Nevada for the past several elections. She was a huge baseball fan (Go Giants!) and loved trips down to SF to watch a game. Her story telling ability, sprinkled with French phrases and a tremendous vocabulary, kept people on the edge of their seats. Helping people at Far Northern wasn’t enough for Laurie, she also volunteered her time as a Hospice worker, and cared for the lives of countless dogs, cats, fish and chickens. She was a one-woman animal shelter. During the Oroville Dam evacuation and the Camp Fire, Laurie displayed her unique ability to “read the wind.” She knew where all the danger spots were, kept a weather eye out, and was often the first to find and evacuate those she knew wouldn’t be able to get themselves or their animals out on their own. Until two weeks before her death she wanted to “help make fire calls.” Laurie is survived by her husband Rodney Keene, stepson Malcom Keene and his wife Sarah, grandchildren Everett and Claire, her brother Steve Rose, in-laws, aunts, uncles, many friends and the entire Rose and Keene families. She was preceded in death by her mother Wanda Widding, her father Leo Rose and her stepfather Martin Widding. She passed away on June 30th, 2021. She will be missed as deeply as she was loved. A funeral Mass will be held in Laurie’s honor on July 9th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Oroville. Donations can be made in her honor to the Butte Humane Society. Arrangements entrusted to Oroville Funeral Home (530)533-0323.