Sybil Odette Keim

Sybil Odette Keim née Miller (97) died on October 31st 2024 in Tucson Arizona. She was born in Beatrice Nebraska on May 23rd 1927 to Ethel née Gish and Arthur Miller. Sybil met and married Robert E. Keim while attending McPherson (KS) College in December 1948. He was a tenor, and she was the pianist assigned to accompany his quartet solo performances. Their union and love lasted their entire lives. She was a highly successful educator who started as an elementary reading teacher and culminated as the Director of Special Education for the Sacaton (AZ) School District. She finished several graduate degrees at the University of Kansas and Northern Arizona University after her Bachelor's degree at McPherson College. Her three children, Linda Velazquez (Arturo), Paul Keim (Jenny), and Samuel Keim (Judy), all followed her example and have careers in education too. In addition to her children, she is survived by grandchildren Victoria Velazquez, Andrew Keim, Colleen Keim Torrenzano (Chris), Erika Keim (Tim Hughes), Stephen Keim (Liz Ahern), and great grandchildren Arthur Shoop, Isabella Torrezano, and Jackson Keim. She is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother (Bryce Miller), and one granddaughter (Veronica Velazquez).

While physically frail at the end of her life, Sybil was mentally sharp-as-a-tack! Always a modern woman, she requested a virtual celebration of life so that all her friends and relatives could participate without travel. This will be held by Zoom in late May 2025. If you would like to attend, contribute a story, or picture to the service, contact Paul at Im4Genetics@gmail.com for more information.