Barbara Jean KELLER

KELLER Barbara Jean (McAuley) Barbara Jean (McAuley) Keller, 84, of Tavares, FL passed away September 21, 2011 in Orlando, FL surrounded by family. Previously residing in Toledo, OH and Sanibel, FL. Barbara was born October 19, 1926 in Bradenton, FL, attended Perrysburg High School and The Toledo Hospital School of Nursing. She was a surgical RN for years at Toledo Hospital and then worked for Dr Arthur James. During WWII she was in the US Cadet Nurse Corp through The University of Toledo and was a member of the University's Alumni Association. Barbara was a member of St Paul's Lutheran Church, Toledo, OH, The Toledo Club, North Cape Yacht Club, Toledo Yacht Club, Maumee River Yacht Club, Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ and the First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora, FL. She was heavily involved in the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra's Women's League, St Paul's Lutheran Church Circle, First United Methodist Church Circle and Planned Parenthood. She also dabbled in entrepreneurship and owned a yarn shop in Toledo. While in Toledo, Barbara attended every University of Toledo football and basketball game and thoroughly enjoyed college basketball. Barbara belonged to the Antiques Car Club of Lake County and the Sunnyland Chapter of the Antique Classic Boat Society in Florida. She enjoyed sailing one design Lightnings with her husband and also enjoyed his love of wooden speed boats. Barbara was an avid birder and Audubon member. Her great love was Sanibel Island and the beach, where she enjoyed walking and shelling daily. With Barbara's love of birding, she would spend hours in the Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary. Barbara had a great sense of humor and sharp wit and was once said to be made of strong stuff, and that would epitomize her. Barbara had immense courage, strength, fortitude and resolve and was an inspiration to all that came in contact with her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years James Arthur; brother, James McAuley; sister, Mary Loudenslagel and parents, Lesta and James McAuley. She is survived by sister, Alice (McAuley) Shumer of Jacksonville, FL; son, James Matthew (Susan) of Louisville, KY and daughter, Rebecca Jo of Hilliard, OH; two grandchildren, Tyler James and Erin Christine, who she adored and was so proud of them in their accomplishments. Tyler is due to graduate from the UK Medical School and is going on to be an Orthopedic Surgeon. Erin is a CCU RN who cares for families such as ours, that are in need of comfort and loving care for their love ones. She is also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews, of which nieces, Debbie Laliberte, Karen Pate and Gena Laliberte-Conolly were with her in her last moments. In the past year she has had extraordinary care from special caretakers, Sandy Gillislee, Dana Moore, Kisia Williams and Kelly Cunningham who loved her as much as she loved them. A memorial service will be held at a later date, in which notification will be given. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora, FL or Ding Darling Wildlife Society, 1 Wildlife Dr., Sanibel Island, FL 33957. Arrangements are by Allen J. Harden Funeral Home, 1800 N. Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757. Phone: 352-383-8178. www.allenjharden.com