Dorothy Marie Keeler passed away early evening Saturday August 12th following complications from cancer and congestive heart failure.

Dorothy, 'Dodie', was born on December 8th 1920 in Sterling Illinois the second daughter of Lee & Helen Ewbank. Her parents were separated when Dodie was young and she was raised by her beloved uncle Enos and aunt Hannah Book on their farm outside of Sterling were she enjoyed all the activities of farm life, including milking the cows, riding horses, and horticulture. Throughout her life she continued her enjoyment of gardening and love of animals and all things. Dodie's mother, Helen ran a boarding house in the city of Sterling, where one summer she met a young college student working the summer at the canning plant in Sterling for college tuition. That young man was Russell J. Keeler of Chicago.

Dodie and Russell were married on August 25th 1940 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Dover New Jersey after Russell had obtained a job at a local manufacturing plant. In the mid-40's Russell had become employed in Philadelphia and the family who now included the first son, Russell Lee born on July 12, 1942 lived in the Mount Airy section of the city. During this time Dodie worked at the downtown flagship store for Strawbridge & Clothier on Market Street as a counter salesperson. A second son, David Lee was born on March 4, 1950 and shortly afterwards the enlarged family moved to a new development in Flourtown then known as Arlingham Hills. A third son, Kenneth Lee was born on May 6, 1952 and a fourth son, Bruce Lee was born on September 17, 1955.

The family enjoyed a good life, with the family actively involved with Little League, St. Thomas Church Fairs and other community activities. Russell served as a Springfield Township Commissioner in the early to late sixties. Dodie especially enjoyed the Flourtown Bowling League and relaxing in the summer at the Flourtown Swim Club with her neighbors. Following the graduation of Bruce, Dodie returned to fulltime work, and retired in the mid-80s after long service with Hanover Insurance Company at their Jenkintown office.

During the early sixties Dodie and the family enjoyed car trip camping in state and national parks including an extended trip to Yellowstone - Grand Teton National Park and another to northern Canada. Dodie and Russell continued to enjoy extended driving trips following retirement often to New England and other trips to through the southern and mid-western states. Despite Dodie's concern for flying, she flew a commercial airline for the first time and she and Russell enjoyed several extended winter stays with two sons then living in southern California.

Russell developed Alzheimer's in the mid-90's and Dodie's arthritis had restricted her ability to move about their two story home. Dodie had also developed severe hearing loss which eventually became total. In May 1999 Dodie and Russell sold their Flourtown home of 48 years and moved to Gilbert Arizona to be close to one of the sons.

Shortly after moving to Gilbert, Dodie developed complications from earlier breast cancer and was believed to be in near terminal condition. Russell's Alzheimer's condition was such that he was not fully aware of this condition. After intervention, Dodie's condition went into partial remission. Russell's condition continued to deteriorate to the point that in August 2001 he required fulltime professional care and was placed in a nearby group home. Dorothy with her son, continued to visit Russell almost daily at his group home until he passed in early 2002.

During her period of remission, Dorothy was able to travel to her first grandson's wedding in Ithaca, New York, visit her younger brother (at Veterans Home in Illinois) twice, and visit with her longtime Flourtown neighbor Jane Johnson in Colorado Springs Colorado. Dodie also enjoyed visiting her son Kenneth and his family on several occasions in southern California. During this time Dodie remained alert, enjoying reading, knitting and playing card and board games with her sons. Dodie's love of animals led to her adoption of 'Sandi', an older mix-breed Shepherd dog and faithful companion.

In late August 2005, Dodie developed a severe heart murmur which continued to deteriorate and impact her health requiring fulltime professional care in March 2006. Dodie remained alert and enjoyed visits from her sons and their families, often going out together for meals, shopping and just looking around. In early June Dodie's blood pressure experienced a significant drop after which she become more distant and declined until peacefully passing at 5:51pm on August 12th.

Dodie is survived, in addition to her sons, by an older brother Gene of Sterling Illinois, a younger brother Carl of Dixon Illinois, three grand-daughters and three grandsons, an older sister Francis passed previously. Services will be held 11am at Zion Lutheran Church, Flourtown on Saturday August 26th with internment afterwards at the Union Cemetery at Zion Lutheran Church. All former friends and acquaintances are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be given, in consideration of her love of animals and horticulture, to the local humane society, Morris Arboretum or any non-profit hospice program.

OBITUARY LOVINGLY WRITTEN BY HER FAMILY