Susan Keenan, 67, aided bishop in Anglican Mission
June 1, 2023
Susan deGraffenried Keenan of Charleston, a former Pawleys Island resident, died May 21 after battling brain cancer. She was 67.
She was born July 26, 1955, in Columbia, the daughter of Lally and Shiney Keenan. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Susan joined the family business, Keenan Oil Co., where she began her career. She later moved to Pawleys Island, where she raised her two children.
Ms. Keenan’s life’s calling emerged when she connected with the Rev. Charles H. Murphy III, a visionary and trailblazer in the Anglican Church, while working with his wife, Margaret, at the All Saints School. Upon Murphy being consecrated a bishop, she became his executive assistant and played an important role in growing the Anglican Mission in America as his chief of staff.
Their final joint endeavor was the establishment of The Abbey in Pawleys Island.
Beyond her professional contributions, Ms. Keenan was active in the Pawleys Island community, playing a role in helping to establish the Lowcountry Day School.
After a brief period working with Morgan Stanley in Columbia, she retired and moved to Charleston to be closer to her family and coastal friends. She was a member of the Charleston chapter of the Colonial Dames and worshiped at St. Phillips Episcopal Church.
Her devotion to family, friends, the communities in South Carolina where she lived and the many communities throughout the world through the Anglican Mission, was a testament to her extraordinary legacy of caring. Throughout her recent illness, the outpouring of love and support from those who knew and cherished her reflect the profound impact she had on their lives.
She is survived by her children, Keenan Harn and Wilson deGraffenried Grayson; her granddaughters, Mary Alice, Loyal Anne and Susan Grace Harn; and her sisters, Elmira Weston, Lucia Keenan and Julia Norwood.
A celebration of her life was held Saturday at The Abbey.
