Barbara Duvall Keelen

1932 - 2025

Barbara Duvall Keelen

September 9, 1932 - September 21, 2025

Barbara Duvall Keelen, of Albany, Oregon peacefully passed away on September 21, 2025, at the age of ninety-three. She was born in Portland, Oregon to Harold and Virginia Keelen.

From an early age, Barbara embodied authenticity, warmth, and generosity. She left a lasting impact on her family, friends, and community. Barbara attended Grant High School in Portland. There, she excelled in school and community initiatives. As a young woman, she modeled in display windows at Lipman's Department Store. She also proudly represented the city as a Princess at the Portland Rose Festival.

In 1967 Barbara moved to Albany with her then-husband, Bob Altman, and settled their young family in North Albany. Years later, after that chapter ended, Barbara found joy and adventure with her partner, Gloria Galvan. Barb and Gloria spent 48 years together in a small farmhouse on Mariposa Drive. Visits to Barbara's home began with a lively greeting from her "security guards." These included a honking goose, a potbelly pig, hollering peacocks, squawking chickens, goats, or friendly tail-wagging dogs. Visitors were welcomed by Barbara's warm smile and the aroma of coffee on the woodstove.

Community service defined her life. An accomplished equestrian, she mentored local 4-H members. At the Albany YMCA Barbara taught swimming to individuals with physical disabilities. She also volunteered with the Reading Education Assistance Dogs program to help boost children's reading confidence. Along the way Barbara dedicated years to supporting young people at the Children's Farm Home in Corvallis.

Barbara enjoyed her work as a retail buyer at the Oregon State University Bookstore. This role reflected her love of reading, art, and travel. Among her adventures, a highlight was an around-the-world trip on a German freighter.

Barbara moved to Bonaventure Senior Living in Albany in 2020. She squeezed her baby grand piano into her bedroom and used her first dishwasher as a keepsake cabinet. She deeply valued her friendships and activities at Bonaventure, where she lived independently until her passing.

Her family thanks the Bonaventure friends and staff for their kindness, and Samaritan Evergreen Hospice for the compassionate care they provided in her final days.

Barbara is survived by her children: Mike, Stephen, and Sally; her grandchildren: Cy, Ashley, Blake, Quinn, Isabelle, Jacob, Casey, and Aaron; her niece, Shawn Knapp Schmidt (daughter of her late sister, Tag Knapp); and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Virginia Keelen; her sister, Tag Knapp; her son, John Altman; former daughter-in-law, Kirstin Altman and her partner, Gloria Galvan.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at 2 p.m., on November 29, at Fisher Funeral Home in Albany, Oregon.