PHYLLIS LILA KELLER

1930 - 2022

KELLER, Phyllis Lila (Daytz) Author, Academic Innovator, Mentor Born August 16, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY to Sophie and Benjamin Daytz. Sister of the late Gloria Lewis, survived by brother Richard Daytz. Beloved wife of the late Morton (Mickey) Keller. Devoted mother of Robin Keller and husband Brian Cogan, Jonathan Keller and wife Inez. Loving grandmother of Jacob and Gabriel Cogan, Barney and Jared Keller, and great-grandmother of Elliot and Harry Keller and Faye Cogan.

A graduate of Barnard College, Phyllis raised her young family in Alaska, North Carolina and Pennsylvania before coming to Cambridge where she worked at College of the Holy Cross before serving as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences from the 1970s to the 1990s. She mentored many women in their academic careers and wrote two books, "States of Belonging: German-American Intellectuals and the First World War" (1979) and "Getting at the Core: Curricular Reform at Harvard" (1982). She and Mickey co-authored "Making Harvard Modern: The Rise of America's University" (2001).

Multiple generations benefitted from her generous counsel and enjoyed her warm hospitality at the Keller homes in Cambridge and Wellfleet. Phyllis was a proud daughter, wife, matriarch and patriot with a sharp intellect, a dry wit, and a lethal net game on the tennis court. Services are private; a Memorial Service will be planned for the fall. Donations in her memory are welcome to Birch Family Services at https://birchfamilyservices.org/donate/