Ellen Harriett Woolston Keefe Derby

1927 - 2023

Ellen Harriett Woolston Keefe Derby
June 11, 1927 - April 3, 2023
Citrus Heights, California - Ellen is survived by her loving husband Jack Derby of 41 years, her four children John (Bruce) Keefe, Paula (Clyde) Gutierres, Anita (Jeff) Perry, Matthew (Devon) Keefe and stepsons, Jim (Ellyn) Derby, Brian (Terry) Derby, Craig (Lisa) Derby and niece Karralynn Woolston Keefe.
One of Ellen's greatest joys was being a grandmother and she spent many special days with each of her 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren - Joseph Perry, Tresa McGranahan, Merissa Studebaker, Drayton Gutierres, Stratford Gutierres, Britannia Bushnell, Kelsey Keefe, Tanner Keefe, Scott Derby, Danielle Derby, Steve Derby and great grandchildren; June, Aurora, Grace, Element and Sylas.
Before Ellen moved to California from Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1952 with her then husband John Joseph Keefe, Sr. and her son John Jr, she worked as a cartoonist for the Elizabeth Woodward column of the Boston Globe and continued doing so for awhile after moving. Once settled in the San Francisco area, her family quickly grew with the birth of her daughters Paula and Anita before relocating to Sacramento and giving birth to her youngest son Matthew. She enjoyed being a mother but missed working and took a job with the California Department of Highways now California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in the fiscal services accounting department and retired in 1987. After retirement, she volunteered her time at the Sacramento Blood Center, and handling the billing for All in One Pest Control for over 25 years.
Being raised in Marblehead, Ellen had a love for the water and outdoors. She enjoyed whitewater rafting and annual houseboat trips. When her children were grown, you could find her on the weekends at Folsom Lake sailing her 22-foot Catalina sailboat. Ellen was a proud member of the Sierra Club, Coast Guard Auxiliary and the love of water continued into her 90s with her taking water aerobics classes.
Some of the things Ellen enjoyed after retirement were traveling with her daughters and dear friend Nancy McClelland, square dancing with her husband, trailer camping, hiking and time in nature with her husband, children, grandchildren and friends and enjoyed downhill skiing which she did into her late seventies with the 49er ski club. She loved golfing and being a member of the Women's Club at Indian Creek Country Club. A diehard 49er and Giants fan, Ellen enjoyed watching her teams play in person.
Ellen enjoyed living at Cogri of Stock Ranch in her final years with her husband and met many new friends and enjoyed the weekly outings.
Ellen is going to be missed by her family and friends.