UFT Admin
- Retired teacher
Mary Pat Keegan, a longtime early childhood teacher, chapter leader and delegate at PS 123 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, was a consummate educator who made learning fun for her students over her 27-year teaching career. Mary, beloved by colleagues and students alike, died on May 2, 2025, at the age of 71.
Mary, who retired in 2017, was a “teacher’s teacher,” said friend and colleague Eileen Kenny, a special education teacher who counted Mary as a mentor, as did many others. “She could turn anything into fun; that was her superpower … she could make up a song, a poem or a dance. She was so creative.”
And if a colleague mentioned a theme or idea, Mary would pull out resources and curricula from her closet, whether it involved Flat Stanley, Ezra Jack Keats, Dr. Seuss, Pete the Cat, nursery rhymes or fairy tales, Kenny said.
Mary loved each and every one of her students, and believed that given the proper tools, they would help make a better world, said colleague and friend Bonnie Skibins, who worked with her for 23 years. “She was into hands-on learning and made her kindergarten lessons come alive — churning butter, making latkes and turning lessons into joyful experiences. She was a kid at heart, and shared her students’ curiosity and wonder, making every day memorable,” Skibins said.
Mary came to teaching as a career-changer after surviving a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “She left a job in marketing to become an early childhood educator, saying ‘The Lord has better ways of using my talents than making sure that people know what brand of soap to buy,'” Skibins recalled.
Mary was a woman of “deep faith, boundless generosity and unwavering dedication to others,” Skibins said. In addition to teaching at PS 123, she also taught religious education at her parish church in Westbury, Long Island, where she continued to teach after her retirement.
“Mary was very compassionate and always went out of her way to help others,” said pre-K teacher and colleague Maria Benscosme, another mentee of Mary. “She wanted to be an advocate for others.” That led her to working as the school’s chapter leader, delegate and as a delegate for the union’s statewide affiliate, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and national affiliate, American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Richard Skibins, Bonnie’s husband, who became the school’s chapter leader after Mary became a UFT delegate, recalled that she “wanted to make a difference in the lives of members, and she did.” She stood up for members when the administration tried to violate the UFT-DOE contract and did so diplomatically, he said. “She had good people skills and would work things out,” he said. As a chapter leader, Mary was always available to members who reached out to her, even during nights and weekends.
“There must be four generations of children who had Mary as their kindergarten or 1st-grade teacher,” Kenney recalled. Over the years, “Mary attended many of her students’ graduations, communions, confirmations and weddings. She loved every child she had as her own.”
“Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched—her students, her colleagues and all who were fortunate enough to know her,” Bonnie Skibins said.
Mary, the eldest of eight, is survived by her siblings, nieces, nephews, great-niece and -nephews and godchildren, all of whom she treasured.
Donations in Mary’s memory can be made to St. Brigid’s Church.
Condolences can be shared below.
Mary Keegan was an exceptional artist who generously shared her love of watercolor painting. She was funny, charismatic, and always eager to share her passion for learning and her wealth of resources with everyone she encountered. That is how I will always remember her. May she rest in peace.
Mary was a great teacher and colleague she always had good conversations and advice.i enjoyed seeing her everyday she was dedicated to her students and parents loved her. She was my friend. also have been in P.S. 123k for a long time so I spent a lot of time with Mary❤️. She will always be in my heart.
Mary was quick to help a new teacher and open her classroom to any resources you needed.
Mary my good friend at PS123k. She touched lives to our children in our community. Her dedication is greatly appreciated.❤️ we will always miss her.
Mary was an incredible teacher who brought so much joy and love to every child she taught. She never forgot a student or colleague—if you ever had a question about something that happened in the building, she’d remember it. She was more than a colleague; she was a friend to me and my family for many years. She inspired and mentored so many people, and her kindness touched countless lives. She will be deeply missed.
Mary Keegan offered to take new teachers under her wings showing them the ropes during their first year of teaching. I experienced that guidance and friendship, giving us a space to unload within her classroom during our lunch time. Always treasured the memories of knowing her.