Keller, Norma. Dec. 27, 1921-April 17, 2014. Teacher, mother, wife. Born in Brooklyn, Norma went to CCNY at night for her B.A. and worked for Eimco for many years. She married Peter Keller, WWII veteran and Bronze Star recipient, in 1945, and was with him for 59 years until his 2005 death. They moved from Joralemon Street in Brooklyn to Stuyvesant Town, where their daughters Lisa (Saky Yakas) and Nina (Rich Adago) were born. In 1960 they settled in New Rochelle. In the early 1960s an elementary school principal plucked her from the secretary's chair and put her in a classroom, where she had a crash course in how to teach. For 25 years she was a dedicated and beloved first grade teacher, first in the South Bronx and then in Greenburgh. She returned to college nights and weekends to earn a Master's in Education. In retirement, she became a tutor for home-bound students with both mental and physical disabilities. Children adored her, and she was enormously kind to anyone she met. She is survived by her daughters, sons-in-law, sister Renee, nephew Mark & Jeff, niece Lynette, and beloved grandchildren Benjamin, Perry, and Naomi. Services will take place at Temple Israel of New Rochelle Tuesday April 22, 1 pm, followed by interment at Sharon Gardens, Valhalla. The family will host shiva at Norma's home afterwards. Gifts in memory can be made to the Norma Keller Fund, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Development Office (Attn. Tamiko Collier), 654 West 170th Street, New York, NY 10032.
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April 28, 2014
Rey Nildis Navarro
Dear Nina and family, my condolences to your family. Your mom was a great person and my family and I had the great pleasure of meeting her and spending time with her when she opened her home for our summer picnic. She will be missed but not forgotten. She was truly blessed with her daughters and son in laws and her grandchildren. May she RIP.
April 25, 2014
VC
My sincere sympathy to the family for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2. Again my deepest sympathy.
April 25, 2014
Gary J. Galperin
Norma Keller was a special part of a special generation whose numbers are sadly dwindling. Though we were together on only limited occasions, she always made me feel like part of her family and part of her welcoming heart. She was intelligent, articulate, caring, vivacious, charismatic, engaged and engaging. In many ways, she reminded me very much of my own dear mother, Trudy. Norma Keller was a glowing light which will continue to shine for those whose lives she touched. My family joins me in celebrating her outstanding life and conveying heartfelt condolences to the extended Keller family.
April 22, 2014
Beth Forhman
Dearest Nina and Lisa:
I was so tremendously moved by the service today. It brought back wonderful memories of your dear Mother. It was such a personal service and a tribute to a woman who not only lived a long life, but a life with depth and breadth. I remember your mother's smile and infectious laugh. Her beautiful eyes twinkled. She was loving and gracious, always opening her home to us. I remember sleep-overs, trips to the ballet and museums. I remember visiting with my Mother, Betty, the tantalizing smell of roast beef and the room being filled with music, instruments and singing. I remember Frank Sinatra recordings, folk songs and Pete singing, "Emily," for my sister. Your Mother always made everyone feel special and beloved; what an antidote for adolescent angst (and the requisite self-doubts that accompany this stage of life.) Every year at my birthday, your Mother would send a card with a personalized message. I remember calling her as I was passing by New Rochelle and asking her if I could stop by to say hello with my son, Jarrett, who then was a baby. Without hesitation, she insisted that I come by and was so complimentary and loving toward him. Your Mother delighted in her family, friends and acquaintances. Her obvious love for her grandchildren is evidenced by their love and adoration of her. Lisa, I loved hearing your son's sweet, sincere and eloquent description of his relationship with his grandmother. I cried when he discussed how fitting it was that she passed on a Tuesday, as that was a day he reserved for her. Time passes so quickly, in the blink of an eye, and if we can create memories like your Mother did, what a wonderful journey we have had... She will always be remembered for her humor, playfulness, warmth, generosity, interest in others and kindness... I truly loved her... Both of your loving tributes brought back memories of her ability to laugh at herself, turn lemons into lemonade and make everything into an adventure. Life was always filled with endless possibilities for Norma: a new friend, a new experience, a new opportunity for philanthropy... She was a rare person and what a gift it was to have had the opportunity to have known her.
April 22, 2014
Debbi Elias
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I will always treasure my memories of how your mom opened her door and her heart to us "twenty-somethings," giving us welcome doses of mother love. I pray your love for each other and wonderful memories are a comfort during this difficult time.
April 22, 2014
My deepest condolences to the whole family. Your mother was a wonderful woman. I have many fond memories of happy times at your house.
- Julie Soury Kattan
April 21, 2014
Iko Fujie, Ono
My deep condolences to the family. Starting first grade with the right teacher is so meaningful in life, much more so having been a helpless foreigner in the early 70s. My family and I were so lucky to be acquainted with Mrs. Keller and her beautiful family well well beyond first grade. I feel like a huge lighthouse has turned off its light.
April 21, 2014
Setsuko Fujie
My deep condolences to Nina, Lisa, and the family. I shall never forget all the love and care and support Mrs. Keller provided me! I longed so much to come see her again, and prayed so much for her recovery. I completely lost words upon the sad notice. The selfless abundant love that she and her wonderful family have provided me will be told to my grandchildren and to their children. Thank you to Mrs. Keller, with all my heart.
April 21, 2014
Joseph and Olivia Adago
Dear Aunt Nina Uncle Richard and Cousins Perry & Naomi,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Aunt Nina, just reading here about your Mother's amazing life is an inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
All our love,
Joseph & Olivia
April 21, 2014
Having been regaled with- and inspired by- stories of your Mom's optimism.. love for others.. and passion for life and her family- she will live on in my heart too.. Particularly as I attempt to tackle challenges as "an advencha!".
Love to you all,
Joanne (Stevens)
April 21, 2014
Raynond Kraus
My deepest condolences to the entire family. I have fond memories of knowing Norma for almost twenty years and visiting her in the years after her beloved Pete passed away. She will always be remembered for her kindness. She will be missed.
April 21, 2014
Grace Hittner (Adago)
I really loved your mother Nina. She was so engaging- I don't know how she was able to connect with me as an angst-y teenager, she left such a clear impression on me (I couldn't go on a vacation without thinking seriously about Norma and her thimble collection)! She must have been an incredible teacher…she was clearly an incredible mother. I feel lucky to have known her through you.
With love,
Grace
April 21, 2014
Susan Roque
My sincerest condolences to you, Nina, and your family. What a beautiful person she was. My prayers are with you.
April 21, 2014
Nina, Lisa and family my heartfelt condolences to all. May all the lives that were enriched with Norma's love,caring and teaching be carried and duplicated forever amongst all who's lives she touched.
April 21, 2014
Ana Pichardo
My condolences to you and your family. She is now angel watching over all of you.
April 21, 2014
Fran Guerra
Lisa & Nina. I do have good memories of Norma as well as from Pete, both kind and lovable friends.
April 20, 2014
Lynette Lederman
Nina, Richard, Lisa, Saky , Perry, Naomi and Benjamin....
Our family is diminished with the loss of Norma. She was my Auntie Mame, a wonderful, enthusiastic , larger than life woman who gave us more than we could ever return to her.
I will miss my Aunt Norma deeply but here's hoping all our sadness will be replaced soon with the incredible memories she has left us all. Love to each of you.......
April 20, 2014
Laurel Bedig
My heartfelt condolences to the whole family. May all of your beautiful memories help to bring you peace.
April 19, 2014
Susan Klein
Norma was a great lady and a second mother to me. I will miss her smile, humor and enthusiasm for life.
April 19, 2014
Our deepest condolences! I will always remember her warm smile and beautiful voice. She lit up a room with her presence. My parents were very lucky to have such wonderful friends in their life!
Sincerely, Judy and Artie Canter
April 19, 2014
Madelon Rosenfeld
Her acts of kindness will serve as an enduring memory to all of those whose lives she touched. My condolences to her family.
April 19, 2014
Mark Eisen
Truly a beloved aunt, but also one of the few human beings possessing such positive qualities I wish everyone had.
April 19, 2014
Jordan Goldstein
What an amazing human being--so full of life and love. A great and close friend cherished by my parents.
She will be missed always by our family.
Love,
Jordan, Benita and Serena Goldstein
April 19, 2014
Heartfelt condolences are extended to your family at this difficult time. May it bring you peace knowing that your mother played a part in molding the lives of many children. May the Hearer of prayer also give you peace and comfort. (Psalm 65:2)
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