Florence E. Keene

MONTPELIER - Florence Elaine "Jacky" Keene, 83, of Montpelier, passed away May 4, 2014. Florence, better known to all as Jehrusha, was born Feb. 14, 1931, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She is predeceased by her mother, Catherine Baker, and her father, Ezra Lee Culver. After graduating from high school, she served in the Navy from 1950-1952 during the Korean War. She went on to marry Robert A. Keene (deceased) and raise seven children, then attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she earned a degree in English literature at age 58.

She is survived by her seven children: Deborah and husband Santo Tomasine, of Williamsburg, Massachusetts; Maureen and husband David Siaca, of Long Beach, New York; Kathleen and husband Robert St. George, of Easthampton, Massachusetts; Robert Jr. "Bud" and wife Alexandra, of Wolcott; Patrick, of Hyde Park; Daniel and wife Karen, of Montpelier; and James, of Morrisville. She leaves behind seven grandchildren: Majorca, Joseph, Lucas, Zachary, Kyle, Peyton and Ryan; and two great-grandchildren: Guy and Memphis.

Jehrusha was an avid reader and a seeker of knowledge and inspiration throughout her life, and she filled her home with books of many genres. She also loved writing, cooking and baking, traveling, painting, drawing, knitting, sewing, and most of all spending time with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. She was a cancer survivor who lived with exceptional passion and determination and made every single day count. We will miss her terribly, but we hope to make her proud by living our lives with purpose and passion and keeping our family ties strong.

Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Guare and Sons Funeral Home, 30 School St., Montpelier, VT 05602. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the Stowe Community Church, 137 Main St., Stowe, VT 05672. Friends and family of Jehrusha are invited to share stories of remembrance during the memorial service. Following the service family and friends will gather for a celebration of Jehrusha's life at The Matterhorn, 4969 Mountain Road (Route 108), Stowe.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clarina Howard Nichols Center, P.O. Box 517, Morrisville, Vermont; www.clarina.org.

Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.