Barbara "Babs" Eckert Keene, born on December 5th 1936, grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She attended Elizabethtown College. Soon after graduating, she married Robert Keene. The navy-life took them from San Diego to Virginia and Philadelphia. They eventually settled in Indianapolis where they raised five children and René.

Barb was the assistant to the Chief of Surgery at Wishard Hospital for over 20 years. She loved her job, but cherished her retired life because it allowed for endless time with her grandchildren, sitting on her back patio watching the birds and ducks, and always getting the max for the minimum at TJMaxx. Barb was the most beloved mom to her children, and the most warm and loving human being to all those who knew her.

Barb is survived by daughter Hilary Bruce, ( Jeff Bruce), daughter Melissa Wakefield, (Tom Wakefield), daughter Jennifer Keene, daughter Lesley Keene, son Matthew Keene, ( Christi Keene), daughter Rene Hallal-Gonen, (Shay Gonen), grandchildren Reilly Bruce, Cooper Bruce, and Andrew Wakefield

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg, Indiana on Tuesday Aug. 10 at 3pm. A reception will follow at the Wakefield home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Chicago Furniture Bank www.chicagofurniturebank.org/donate or to the Little Sisters Of The Poor https://www.littlesistersofthepoorindianapolis.org/our-giving-opportunities/