Mary Keller

Mary Catherine Keller nee Gillen died July 26 2011 after suffering from Primary Progressive Aphasia a rare and debilitating disease. At a very young age Mary had a love of nature the arts and of service to others and lived her life paying special attention and care to those things. Mary was a beautiful classy and accomplished woman. She was a devout catholic and was an active member of St. Hilary. Mary graduated from Our Lady of The Elms and Ursuline College. Having been crowned ''Miss Columbia'' Mary also was selected to study in Perugia Italy and completed coursework there. It was then that she fell in love with other cultures and traveling. Mary loved to travel and had many fond memories of spending time at ''Breezy Point'' in Parry Sound Canada trips with beloved friends to Bald Head Island NC and bike trips in Europe. Mary's last trip oversees was to Egypt and she made sure that she rode a camel! Mary had a career as an educator. She began teaching at Garfield High School and then left to raise a family. She returned to The Elms after her children were older and taught and then became the Admissions Director. Mary was a member of Mensa for educators and was also a National Merit scholar. She was also a committed volunteer for her community. As a member of The Junior League of Akron she worked on environmental issues before it became popular and chaired a number of other committees and projects. The Elms benefited from Mary's volunteer efforts through her involvement in February Fantasy fundraisers and assisted in the inception of the ''Author Author'' series among other events. Mary was a wonderful person who was full of love and had a tremendous sense of humor. She loved to laugh! She was dedicated to helping others and lived a life in which helping others was a priority. Mary gathered many friends from The Elms The Junior League bridge groups neighbors church and almost every area of her life. She will be greatly missed. Mary is survived by her husband Dr. Frederick J. Keller; daughter Christine; sons Mark and Patrick and daughter-in law Elisabeth; granddaughter Brianne; sister Francis Yahner; brothers Jim and Tom Gillen; cousin Betty Mitchell; numerous nieces and nephews; and many many wonderful friends. Mary's memorial mass with be held Saturday August 6th at 9:30 AM at St. Hilary Catholic Church 2750 W. Market ST Fairlawn. Memorial donations may be made to: Our Lady of The Elms 1375 W. Exchange ST Akron 44313 and The Humane Society of Greater Akron 7996 Darrow RD Twinsburg 44087.