Funeral services will be held Friday for the wife of former Purdue basketball coach Gene Keady.
Pat Keady died Monday night at an Indianapolis hospital following a lengthy illness. She was 62.
A school spokesman said Tuesday a public visitation is set for Thursday at Soller-Baker Funeral Home in Lafayette, with a private funeral service on Friday.
Pat Keady had suffered a heart attack in May 2006 in the couple’s Lafayette home, and she had also battled cancer.
“We were all saddened by the news of Pat’s passing,” Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke told The Indianapolis Star. “As you reflect back on the memories, she certainly was passionate about Gene and his teams. Pat understood the game and was not hesitant to voice her opinion, even if her husband was part of the opinion.”
Pat Keady played a role in her husband’s decision to pass on an offer to coach at the University of San Francisco in 2004.
“To this day, I suspect Pat is one of the few people who felt comfortable standing up to Gene, and she didn’t mind others knowing it,” Burke said. “Likewise, Gene would publicly acknowledge Pat’s impact in nearly every speech when he had to comment on a tough loss or tough situation. They clearly were soulmates.”
Gene Keady retired in 2005 after 25 years as Purdue’s men’s basketball coach. The Keadys had been married since 1981.
