Anne Rosemary KEFFER

ANNE ROSEMARY (HOOPER) KEFFER
March 29,1935 - November 16, 2015


Anne loved life. Throughout her 80 years, she exemplified grace. Her artistic accomplishments were many, including sculpting and weaving but her passion was painting, her landscapes in particular showing a dramatic vibrancy and structure. She loved to ski, sail and golf each of which she attacked with a competitive passion. Her career encompassed, fashion modeling, sales and organizational management. In the latter, she held senior positions at C&C Yachts in Port Credit and Niagara-on-the-Lake and later Derlan Aerospace in Cambridge. Following that, with a small staff, she took over the administration of the three local chapters of the Young Presidents Organization and stayed there until her retirement in 2000.

With her partner Jim, husband for 60 rewarding years, they travelled widely, living for a time in Cambridge, UK; Aix-en-Provence, France; Tarragona, Spain and in these latter years, Florida. Her family was so important to her; David, her older son with his wife, Zora and daughter, Jessica Anne; John with his wife, Aisling and their two boys, James Wellington and Rory Thomas. She leaves behind her brothers, Hedley and John with their wives, Chengmin and Julia and her sister, Sharon with her husband, Jim Hammersley. Her friends were many and varied. The various circles often overlapped. They included golf and sailing buddies, Oakville neighbours, where they lived for some 20 years, and Cabbagetown friends, where she and Jim have lived for the past 25 years. Other intersections included YPO acquaintances, U of T connections through her husband, classmates at the YMCA and very importantly, their recent Florida connections.

Her last years were a challenge. A debilitating stroke bracketed by various cancers. And then finally a tumour of the brain, for which there can never be any real recovery. She died peacefully surrounded by family at Bridgepoint Hospital, keeping her sunny disposition to the end with an infectious smile that lit up the space around her.

A small private ceremony for family will be held in the Necropolis Chapel in Cabbagetown. In addition, a celebration of her life lived will be held later at a time and place to be decided.