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Vera Keller Obituary
September 8, 2022
Vera Anne (Allen) Keller passed away peacefully on the morning of September 8th, a day after her 89th birthday. She was born in Ellensburg on September 7, 1933, to Sonia (Tuchapski) Allen and Bruce DeWitt Allen.
She spent her childhood in Port Angeles, where she graduated Port Angeles High School and was the first person in her family to attend college. She was a graduate of George Washington University in Washington DC with a BA in Elementary Education. During her time there, she served as chapter president of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. After graduation, she returned to Port Angeles, where she taught second grade. Shortly after, she was introduced by friends to Richard "Dick" Keller, her future husband of 60 years. They were married on July 12, 1958 in the Queen of Angels Church in Port Angeles. After several years on the East Coast, they settled in Edmonds where they began a family.
In 1973, she lost her beloved parents, Sonia and stepfather Oscar Ullstrom in a head on car collision caused by a drunk driver. She felt their loss acutely throughout her life.
In the late 1970s, Vera returned to work as a bookkeeper with the Dominican Sisters in Woodway. In 1993, Vera and Dick built their dream home in Snohomish and spent nearly 26 happy years there until Dick's passing in 2019. Wherever she went, Vera always sought to help stray, hungry or hurt animals. She loved all creatures great and small and volunteered for a horse rescue organization and various area animal shelters.
Vera is survived by her half-sister Pat Hansen, son Rick Keller, his wife Beck Keller, daughter Julia Jaspen, and grandchildren William and Alan Jaspen.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers whose gentleness and patience made Vera's twilight years more comfortable as dementia took its toll. We are deeply grateful for your efforts for our mom.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to an animal shelter of your choosing.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Vera Keller
2 Entries
Kathleen Gregory
November 6, 2022
Today when going through some old boxes of photographs, clippings, and letters I came across an envelope with a lock of tail hair from a chestnut horse and a letter from Vera.
We first met Dick and Vera when my husband, Bill Gregory, built their barn in Snohomish. We kept in touch over the years and when we were looking for a retirement home for my daughter’s show gelding “Skippy”, Vera volunteered their lovely home. They had just recently lost their senior horse and had an empty stall for Skip.
It is my hope that when I am retired that I will live the kind of life that Skip had with Dick and Vera. Vera attended his every need and I’m convinced that the Queen’s horses kept in the Royal stables were never treated better than Skip.
He was well into his 20’s when he went to live with Vera and thanks to her extraordinary care, he lived a long and happy life up until his death in 2008.
Her sweet letter, to let us know that Skip had died, was accompanied by a lock of his tail hair. It was a touching and thoughtful offering that I have kept to this day.
After reading her letter, I looked her up and was saddened to see that she had passed just weeks ago.
She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known; condolences to her family and all that loved her.
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Mary Hovander
October 1, 2022
Vera was a great friend and co-worker volunteer during the 1980s and 90s in Edmonds. We helped start Expanding Your Horizons for middle school girls at Edmonds Community College. She was a hard worker and fun at the same time. Got to know her neighbors, Joyce and Barney Mansfield.
Also felt welcomed at the Dominican Sisters headquarters because of Vera.
Thank you for a beautiful obituary.
Mary Hovander
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