Maria Kehian, 94, of Jamaica Plain, passed away April 19, 2020 at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln after a battle with cancer.

Maria was born to Josef and Anna Hofbauer on September 22, 1925 in Bavaria, Germany, which has always remained her home in her heart. She is preceded in death by her late husband, Harutun Kehian.  She is survived by her daughters Louise Maciejewski of Walpole and her husband, Alan and Annette Searfoss of Norwood and her husband, Donald. She leaves behind granddaughters Christie and Ashley Maciejewski, Kelly Boucher, Kimberly Daley, and Kaitlin Kelleher, and their husbands. She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren, a sister, Luise and brother, Josef in Germany, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

After meeting at Oktoberfest in Munich, Maria and her husband married in Germany in 1948 and immigrated to the United States in 1950. They arrived with nothing but a few dollars and a couple of gold watches, but they worked hard for their American dream with the support of many new friends and neighbors. The couple owned a successful real estate and contracting business.

A hardworking and selfless woman, Maria was a member of the Ladies Aide for over 50 years and on the Board of Directors for the Deutsches Altenheim in West Roxbury, where she spent countless hours visiting patients and volunteering. A friend to all, she would light up a room every time she visited.

Maria was an avid gardener and a lover of all things purple and lavender; she made an art out of bragging about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved celebrating occasions big and small, and gathering friends and family. Ever the role model for her entire family, no household task was too big, no dance floor too wild, and no city turkey too tough for her to shoo out of her garden.

She will be forever loved and sorely missed by all who knew her.

Because of COVID-19, services will be private.  Burial at The Gardens of Gethsemane Cemetery in West Roxbury.  Donations may be made in Maria's memory to the Deutsches Altenheim Foundation, 2222 Centre Street, West Roxbury.