Eliza Johanna Kean was born on St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, on Jan. 27, 1904. She was the eighth of eleven children born to Orville Sidney Kean and Robertina Victoria Petersen Kean.
Eliza received her early education in the Danish school system. She was trained as a nurse-midwife and worked as an apprentice to Eugenia Forde and with Dr. Knud Hansen. She performed many deliveries both on St. Thomas and St. John traveling by horse and donkey, sometimes remaining with her patients for days until the birth. In 1938 or 1939 Eliza moved to New York where she worked at several hospitals as a registered nurse. She lived a quiet life and devoted herself to her profession. After residing in New York for over 38 years, she returned to St. Thomas in the 1970’s to retire and care for her sister, Ivanna Eudora Kean. She enjoyed her retirement and the company of her nieces, nephews, and surviving siblings, Aline Kean, Louise Kean and Charles Kean.
Eliza had many hobbies and was very skilled at crocheting, tatting and other needlework. She played the clarinet and remained very physically fit well into her nineties. The last survivor of eleven siblings, two of whom were centenarians, Eliza passed away on Oct. 17, at the age of 107.
A viewing will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral service at the Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church on Monday, Oct. 24.
