Carmen Rodriguez-Valdivieso Keating, born November 17, 1922, in Arcila, Morocco, died September 13, 2011, of natural causes at her home in Savannah.
Carmen — naturalized as a United States citizen in 1971 — is well known and respected in Savannah for her involvement in the arts and the community.
A lifelong teacher, Carmen taught Spanish and History at Savannah High School from 1957 through 1959 and later taught grammar school and gave private Spanish lessons. She also worked as a freelance interpreter and translator. Carmen held an eclectic variety of jobs, including the repair of intricate woven rugs after it became known that she was an expert weaver, fabric artist, and seamstress. She created some 50 or more quilts in her lifetime, gifting them to loved ones who continue to treasure them.
Her commanding personality and strongly accented, impeccable English, as well as her true sense of community, make her an enduring presence in Savannah.
She is predeceased by her husband, James Pinckney Keating, and survived by her four children Isabel, Michelle, Michael, and Thomas, and by several grandchildren.
Following a private interment ceremony at the Pinckney Family Cemetery, a memorial service will be planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be sent to the National Museum of Women in the Arts or the service organization of one’s choice.
Carmen, may you rest in peace
Goodbye, sweet Aunt Carmen. Til we meet again!
Michael, i feel honored to be one of those persons she gifted a gorgeous quilt to…although i never met your mom, we had a wonderfully spirited & unique friendship through letters and gift packages. I loved her…..my deep sympathy & love to you and your siblings…
Dear Carmen: I still have your last letter to me. It’s in blue ink (not ballpoint), on cream-colored paper, as a gently-reared lady’s letters should be. We laughed about that many times, both of us gently reared and tangled in the past. I apologize for keying this in, but I see no way to write it properly, so we’ll laugh once more together. I miss you. Love, Mary