Elizabeth "Betty" Jean (Keener) Heinisch died peacefully on March 18, 2025, at Villasprings, Erlanger, at the age of 97. Born on February 29, 1928, in Newport, Betty was the oldest of four children of William and Thelma (King) Keener. A lifelong Catholic, she was welcomed as a child of God through the waters of baptism on March 1, 1928, and was fortified with the sacraments at Corpus Christi Parish, Newport.
Betty graduated from the Academy Notre Dame of Providence, Newport, in 1946. After graduation, she began her career as an office worker but soon stepped away from the workforce to marry Donald Parr. Together, they welcomed two sons, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Following Donald's passing on May 1, 1998, Betty worked as the office manager for Maschinot Music in Newport, a job she cherished and often spoke fondly of. In the early 2000s, she took a position as an agent for the Transportation Security Administration at the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky International Airport. It was here that she met the love of her life, Ernie Heinisch. His first impression of her was fond: he thought she was "so pretty." After a brief courtship, the couple married on February 9, 2002, at Holy Spirit Parish, Newport.
Betty and Ernie faced challenges together, including spending a week apart during hospital stays at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood. Once transferred to Villasprings in Erlanger, the couple was reunited, and in the early morning hours of March 18, with Ernie holding her hand, Betty took her last breath and was led by Jesus into eternal life.
She is survived by her husband, Ernie Heinisch, her great-grandchildren Courtney Parr, Chelsea Parr, and Anthony Parr, as well as her sister-in-law Carol (Steffen) Keener. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, William and Thelma (King) Keener, her siblings William Keener, Patricia (Keener) King, and Charles Keener, as well as several in-laws and her sons, Donald Parr, Jr. and Michael Parr, and grandchildren, Michelle Parr and Michael Parr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Msgr. William Cleves on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Parish in Newport, with interment to follow at St. Stephen Cemetery in Ft. Thomas. Don Catchen Funeral Home in Elsmere, KY, is assisting the family during this difficult time.
Family and friends are invited to send flowers or plants in memory of Betty, celebrating her long and vibrant life.
