Meet Our Staff - West Haven & North Branford, CT

Sarah Luz Moore

Funeral Director - Managing Partner

Sarah Moore is a lifelong Connecticut resident, having spent her formative years in New Haven. She attended Helen Grant Elementary, Betsy Ross Arts Magnet, and Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School. Following high school, Sarah pursued her passion for the arts, earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and an associate degree in Mortuary Science from the Arts Institute of Pittsburgh, Paier College of Art, INC, and Lincoln College of New England.

Sarah embarked on her professional journey as a mortician, completing an internship at Gregory F. Doyle Funeral Home in Milford, followed by an apprenticeship at Howard K. Hill Funeral Home in New Haven. She eventually joined Keenan Funeral Home in West Haven, where she served as a full-time funeral director and embalmer for several years, eventually rising to the position of managing partner.

Outside of her professional life, Sarah is an avid hiker with a personal goal to traverse every major trail in Connecticut. She often shares these adventures with her husband and her two furry companions, Pepper, a beagle mix, and Quinn, a beagle-Pomeranian mix, who are the youngest members of her four-rescue family.

Deeply committed to animal welfare, Sarah actively supports various animal-related charities. She regularly donates bottles and cans to the West Haven Animal Shelter, contributes pet food to the Connecticut Humane Society, and participates in local events aimed at promoting animal well-being and wildlife conservation.

An enthusiastic community member, Sarah can often be found attending local town festivals such as garlic festivals, The Durham Fair, and the Renaissance Fair. She has a keen interest in the arts and history, frequently visiting gallery events, exhibitions, and local art and history museums.

In her leisure time, Sarah indulges in reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, painting, drawing, and playing both new and classic role-playing games. She also enjoys participating in Dungeons and Dragons whenever she can find a compatible group. 

Estavia Lockett

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Estavia Lockett's journey is a testament to her dedication to both personal growth and compassionate service to others. Starting from her roots in New Haven, Connecticut, she has continually sought to expand her knowledge and skills, weaving together a diverse tapestry of experiences that have led her to her current role as a funeral director and embalmer.

Her educational journey reflects her versatility and determination. Beginning with studies in Data Entry, she laid a solid foundation at The Academy for Business Careers before delving into Business Management at Albertus Magnus College. Her pivot into the medical field, becoming a Registered Sleep Technician at Yale New Haven Hospital, showcases her commitment to improving the lives of others through healthcare.

Seeking to provide holistic care, Estavia furthered her studies to become a Licensed Practical Nurse at Lincoln Technical School. However, it was her immersion in mortuary science at Lincoln College that truly ignited her passion for her current profession. Mentored by industry veterans at McClam Funeral Home (Internship) and later honing her skills at Howard K. Hill Funeral Services (Apprenticeship), Estavia has emerged as a dedicated and empathetic funeral director.

Despite the demands of her career, Estavia remains firmly grounded in her values and priorities. Family holds a central place in her life, and she treasures the moments spent creating memories with loved ones. Her love for exploration, whether through travel, fashion, or culinary experiences, reflects her vibrant spirit and zest for life.

Starting her days with invigorating walks in nature demonstrates Estavia's commitment to self-care and mental well-being, setting a positive tone for her professional endeavors. Through her dedication to both her personal growth and her role in providing comfort and support to grieving families, Estavia Lockett embodies resilience, empathy, and a profound sense of purpose.

Elizabeth Yacono

Office Coordinator

Elizabeth (Beth) Yacono is a proud lifelong resident of Connecticut, currently residing in Northford. She is an alumna of Cheshire High School, Southern Connecticut State University, and Stone Academy, where she earned an associate degree in Word Processing.

For 15 years, Beth served in various roles at Health Net, including Secretary, Intake Coordinator, and Appeals & Grievance Specialist, before choosing to retire and focus on raising her children. During this time, she volunteered at Northford Preschool as Vice President and Events Coordinator and dedicated eight years as a Coordinator for St. Ambrose Food Pantry. As her daughters grew older, Beth returned to the workforce as a part-time food service clerk, eventually advancing to Food Service Manager roles at The Academy in East Haven and St. John’s School in Old Saybrook, CT.

Continuously seeking new challenges, Beth pursued accreditation in medical coding.  Her career path took a meaningful turn when she accepted a part-time Secretary position at St. Ambrose Parish, which ultimately led to her current role as Office Coordinator at Keenan Funeral Home.

Outside of her professional life, Beth remains actively involved in her daughters' pursuits. 

In her leisure time, Beth enjoys reading and hiking with her husband and their rescue dog, Trixie.

David L. Chambers

Ambassador

David L. Chambers is a proud native of New Haven, Connecticut, and a 1982 graduate of Wilbur Cross High School. He furthered his education at North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, and Gateway Community College, also in New Haven.

With a career spanning 36 years, Dave is a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, specializing as a DJ, announcer, and sound technician. From 1990 to 1998, he served as a Radio Production Assistant for W.N.H.C 1340AM. Dave possesses a remarkable talent and passion for music and entertainment, consistently delivering joy and happiness to his audiences. His extensive knowledge of diverse musical cultures enables him to create memorable experiences, making events truly special. To date, he has performed at over 700 weddings, receptions, and other functions across nine U.S. states and internationally in destinations such as Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.

In addition to his entertainment career, Dave has dedicated eight years to assisting at funeral homes and currently serves at Keenan Funeral Home.

A committed community volunteer, Dave has been actively involved with the C.H.A.I.N. Fund Cancer Foundation since 2008, the Sister's Journey Breast Cancer Support Group since 2010, and the S.C.D.A.A. Sickle Cell Foundation since 2012.

Furthermore, Dave has contributed to the development of young athletes as a Pop Warner Youth Football Coach for 18 years.

Dave is a loving father to his daughter, Ayanna Chambers, and a proud grandfather to two grandsons, Kali, aged six, and Travour, aged two.

Scott P. Moore

Ambassador

Scott Moore, originally from Long Island, now resides in Connecticut. He graduated from Stony Brook University in New York with degrees in Journalism and History. Starting his career as an editor at The New York Post and Patch, Scott later transitioned to a Digital Content Manager role, contributing to an award-winning team at one of the world's largest entertainment companies for nearly a decade. Alongside his professional pursuits, Scott runs a small business specializing in antique toys, books, décor, and electronics.

A fervent advocate for creative writing and digital storytelling, Scott channels his passion into crafting Dungeons and Dragons stories and campaigns as a Dungeon Master for his young niece and nephews. In his leisure time, he enjoys antiquing, exploring local museums, cheering for the New York Yankees, and actively engaging in community initiatives.

Philip Malley Appell Sr.

Funeral Director - Consultant

Philip Malley Appell, Sr. is a native of Old Saybrook, Connecticut and is a graduate of Old Saybrook High School. His family have been members of the North Branford Community since the American Revolution. He is a proud veteran of the United States Army. Upon his discharge from the service, Phil graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. After his return from college, he started a long association with Swan Funeral Home, located in Old Saybrook, Madison, and Clinton. Phil was promoted to Manager in 1995, and General Manager in 1998. He was responsible for five funeral homes and a crematory. After 36 years of service and many corporate changes, Phil left to join the Keenan Funeral Home in North Branford and West Haven as the Managing Partner. Phil is the father of four children; Phil Jr. and his wife Becca of Bristol who own Five Churches Brewery in New Britain, Spencer who is a graduate of Uconn in finance, Emily is a Sophomore at Penn State, and Elisabeth is attending Loyola University in Chicago. Phil is an avid movie memorabilia collector and is especially fond of John Wayne. Phil looks forward to serving and working with families in the community.

Jamie Cowan

Funeral Director Consultant/Pre Need Counselor/Life Planning

Jamie joined our team with a focus on helping families navigate some of life's most difficult challenges.  For the past 22 years, Jamie has provided information and guidance and has assisted thousand of families in protecting and keeping what they have earned. He also is a frequent guest speaker at various community seminars and workshops discussing topics such as funeral planning, Medicaid, and Veterans Pension Benefits.

Elizabeth DelVecchio

Office Assistant

"Betty" has been a life long resident of New Haven, Connecticut.  She is a graduate of Hillhouse High School and attended Quinnipiac University.  She was the owner/operator of Flower Affair in West Haven, Connecticut for 42 years before retiring.  Betty is married to her husband Tony and has two sons.  Their son Joseph (Jennifer) have twin boys Joseph & Jack and son Vincent (Karyn) have a son Dylan, whom all reside in Milford, Connecticut.

Anthony DelVecchio

Ambassador

“Tony” was raised in Ansonia, Connecticut and moved to New Haven when he married his wife Betty.  He is a graduate of Ansonia High School.  Tony spent many years in the retail furniture and appliance industry.  Most recently he was a concierge and security officer for local office buildings.  Tony is married to his wife Betty and has two sons and three grandsons.

Nancy Campbell

Ambassador

Nancy grew up and currently lives in West Haven with her husband Jim and son Matthew.  She has been a professional Cosmetologist since 1986, and partner of Hair Forever Hair Salon in Milford since 1992.  She began styling hair for local funeral homes ten years ago which brought about her interest in pursuing other avenues of the funeral home business.  The opportunity to work with families, attention to detail during their time of grief and making sure everyone is satisfied is very rewarding.  She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.