Draft:Olga Francis Keane

Olga Francis Keane, OD, (23 January 1933 – 10 September 2020), sometimes known as Francis Keane, was a Jamaican Fashion Designer who specialized in Haute Couture.

Early life and education
Olga Watson was born in Kingston, Jamaica on January 23, 1933. She was the eight of nine children. Her mother was a dressmaker and her father a property manager. Olga went to St Albans Primary in Kingston. Her mother and elder brother made an addition at the side of the house for young Olga and from there she would sew garments including wedding dresses. At first, she sewed by herself but as the business grew, she eventually hired people to work with her. Francis Keane studied at the Traphagen School of Fashion in New York City..

Career
Known for her work in Cutwork Embroidery and bridal dresses, Olga or Francis Keane, as she was popularly known, opened her first store in 1964 at 125 Hagley Park Road in Kingston, Jamaica. During her years of activity, Francis Keane dressed women from ordinary citizens to numerous Jamaican celebrities, Jamaican public figures, Miss Jamaica World Contestants, the wives of numerous Jamaican Prime Ministers, the former Prime Minister; The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, Lisa Hanna; Miss Jamaica and Miss World, 1993 and the late Queen Elizabeth II

Personal Life
Olga married Dudley Francis Keane in 1952. The couple remained married until Dudley's passing on January 2, 2009. The couple had five children, one deceased, seven grand-children and one great grandchild. Francis Keane relocated to Miami, Florida in 2009 where she died on September 10, 2020, at Aventura Hospital after an extended illness. She was surrounded by family and friends at the time her death. She was 87 years old.

Awards and Honors
In 1998, Olga Francis Keane was conferred with the Order of Distinction, Officer class, for outstanding services to the fashion industry for Jamaica. In 1986, Francis Keane was a recipient of the Fashion Awards Academy of Jamaica for her outstanding service and dedication to the growth and development of the fashion industry in Jamaica.

Legacy
On September 10th, 2022, the second anniversary of her death, a gathering of family and friends met at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica to honor the life of Olga Francis Keane. The event was called Francis Keane Her Life, Legacy and Fashion. The event included a fashion show with actual garments designed by Francis Keane and speeches from prominent Jamaicans about her life.