Mary Hyne Keech Fine

Mary Hyne Keech Fine, age 101, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2026. Born on March 12, 1925, in Fort Lupton, Colorado, Mary lived a generous and vibrant life defined by service, music, cooking, reading, a deep love of travel, and an insurmountable amount of friendships.

She was the daughter of Sophie Irene (Hunter) Hyne and Frances Burton Hyne. Mary spent her early childhood in Colorado and Lake Andes, South Dakota. She attended All Saints’ Episcopal School in Sioux Falls and later graduated from the University of South Dakota, where she was an active member of Alpha Xi Delta.

In 1945, Mary joined the Women’s Army Corps and proudly served in post–World War II Germany until the spring of 1947. After her military service, she began teaching in Wagner, South Dakota where she met Robert Roy Keech, who worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They were married in 1950 and built a life centered on family, raising five children for 33 years until his passing in 1983.

After living in Lincoln, Nebraska and Chamberlain, South Dakota, they settled in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1965. Mary taught French and English in the Pine Bluff School District, where she was known not only for her dedication but for the genuine care and encouragement she gave her students. She also shared her love of music as a choir member of the Trinity Episcopal Church and gave her spare time to numerous service organizations. She retired from teaching in 1987 after many years of devoted service.

In 1989, Mary married Howard Fine, and they made their home in Little Rock, Arkansas. There, she continued her active involvement at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, elected to serve the Vestry, choir member, and lay minister. Mary embraced her community wholeheartedly, volunteering with the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, the Little Rock Retired Teachers Association, the Choral Society, the Symphony Guild, Wildwood Art for the Parks, the Clinton Library, Musical Coterie, and so many more.

Her dedication as a volunteer earned her the David Pryor Award. She was also named Ms. Senior Arkansas in 1991 and received the Veterans Administration Centenarian Recognition Award.

Mary was preceded in death by her infant son, Roger Keech, her late husband Robert R. Keech, and her second late husband,Howard F. Fine, and daughter-in-law, Brenda Promerance Keech..

Her five children survive her: Robert Burton Keech, Richard Charles Keech (Melwida), Nancy Keech Griffin (Griff), Kathy Keech McFarland, and Peggy Keech Thibodeau (Joe). Her grandchildren also survive her: Cynthia Keech McCarty, Lauren Griffin McKay, Amy McFarland O’Connor, Clara Keech Brewer, Robert Keech, Richard Keech, Megan McFarland Molten, Jesse Griffin, Allison Thibodeau Rose, Michael Thibodeau, Kelli ThiboPerkins, Brian Thibodeau, and Mindy Thibodeau Utley; as well as 18 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her great pride and joy.

A memorial service will be held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church at 10:30 am. on June 11, 2026, with the Reverend Mary Vano officiating.

Instead of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial gifts be made in Mary Fine’s name to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th Street, Little Rock, AR 72206, the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, donations@salvationarmyusa.org, or Presbyterian Village, 501 Brookside Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.