Obituary of Mary Ann Keller

MARY ANN KELLER Mary Ann Keller Whalen began her final journey November 19, 2012. She was born December 31, 1923 in Yakima, WA and attended Mary Cliff Catholic High School graduating as salutatorian of her class. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Keller, her mother, Verna Whalen, her father Joseph Whalen, her sister, Winnibelle Gottlieb, her brothers, Don Whalen and Thad Whalen. Mary Ann attended Washington State University majoring in music. She met her future husband, Keith at Washington State and they enjoyed being Cougar fans for many years and had 3 of their children graduate from the same University. Mary Ann and Keith were married 55 years before his passing in 1999. She has lived at the Waterford at Fairway Village for the past 13 years and enjoyed living independently until one year ago when she moved to the assisted side. She was very active attending the Vancouver Symphony, playing bridge and pinochle, going on mystery rides, and sharing past experiences while dining. She met many wonderful people while residing at Waterford and in her later years enjoyed dining, talking and playing pinochle with her best friend, Bena Marsh. She has 5 children, Mike Keller Shari, Pat Emrich Scott, Tom Keller, Dan Keller and Lisa Keller. She had a great love of children and was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Mary Ann was a very accomplished pianist and enjoyed playing the organ and directing the choir for various church functions at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Camas, WA. Mary Ann was very active in all family outings while raising her 5 children. She treasured times spent at the Cannon Beach family beach house. Some of her varied interests included camping, fishing, waterskiing on the Columbia River, spending summers in the Glenwood Valley feeding and caring for the hay crew, assisting her husband with his veterinary business, golfing at Orchard Hills Country Club, snowbirding in Arizona for 10 + years after their retirement and meeting wonderful long time friends. In her later years, she enjoyed traveling and took as many of her family that wanted to go on 7 cruises throughout the world beginning in the fall of 1999. She was an honorary member of Orchard Hills Country Club and a Catholic Daughter of America for many years. Her greatest joys in life were her Lord, family and her music. She will be greatly missed and was deeply loved and cherished. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 26 from 3pm to 6:30 PM at Straub's Funeral Home followed by a vigil service at 7pm. The funeral mass will be on Tuesday, November 27, at 10AM at St. Thomas Catholic Church followed by vault interment at the Washougal Memorial Cemetery. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.