Martha "Foy" Keeley, 94, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2024, surrounded by family.  She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Agnes Margretta Hamill (Leighton). She was born on March 13, 1930, in Port Rush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was during World War II when she and her family moved to Belfast because of her father's welding job in the shipyards.

Martha would retell many of her stories during this time including taking shelter in "The Caves" on Cave Hill Road during the air raids as well as of all the rationing they had to endure during the war. Martha had 5 siblings, two sisters and three brothers. In 1950 when she was just 20 years old, Martha and her brother Roy came to America. They were joining her sister who was already here after she had married an American G.I. Martha worked at a pocketbook factory and Western printing both in Poughkeepsie.

On June 22, 1952, Martha married Gerlad Keeley Jr. They had two children Kimberly and David. They purchased a home on Freedom Plains Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie. When her children were young Martha was a homemaker and when they got older and were in school, she took a job in the school cafeteria at Todd Hill Elementary. She later took a position doing payroll for a local security company until her retirement. On December 7, 1956, Martha became an American citizen.

After retiring Martha and Gerald moved to Millbrook to live with her daughter and her family. She spent many happy years there before Gerald passed away on November 5, 2008. Martha would continue to live with her daughter until her passing.

Martha was an expert at knitting and crochet, she would create beautiful sweaters, blankets, ponchos and baby clothes. Martha joined the Millbrook seniors after she moved there. She enjoyed the many friends she made there and went on many if not most of the senior trips.

Martha is survived by her daughter Kimberly May (Keeley) Henschel and her husband Gregory. Martha was predeceased by her son Gerald "David" Keeley. Martha is survived by her four grandchildren Eric Gregory Henschel and his wife Kayla of Poughkeepsie, Brendan Henschel and his wife Danielle of Millbrook, Dylan Samuel Henschel and his wife Stephaine of Greenville, NC and Shauna Foy Henschel and fiancée Justin Veilleux of Millbrook. Martha is also survived by her six great grandchildren Declan Henschel, Evan Henschel, Beckett Henschel, Kade Henschel, Deacon Henschel, and Keeley Henschel. Martha is also survived by her sisters Mamie Arvanetes of Poughkeepsie and Margaret Simpson of Tennessee, and brother Samuel Hamill and his wife Tillie of Poughkeepsie. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in addition to her parents, husband and son Martha was also predeceased by her two brothers Roy Hamill and Gerald Hamill.

Calling hours will take place Sunday, June 30 from 5-7 pm at Allen Funeral Home, 3270 Franklin Ave., Millbrook, NY 12545. A graveside service will take place Monday July 1 at 11 am at Freedom Plains Cemetery, LaGrange, NY.