Laconia-----Dorothy M. Keller, 92, of 27 Robinwood Lane, died at her home on Friday, January 11, 2013 surrounded by family and friends.
Mrs. Keller, affectionately known as Mimi to many, was born November 14,1920 in New York City, the daughter of Dorothy McCullough and William J. Hurley. She attended Catholic school, followed by high school, and for five years was in the Convent with the Sisters of Mercy. She also attended Hofstra University where she studied banking.
During World War II, Mrs. Keller went to school to become an aircraft mechanic and worked for Columbia Aircraft. Then she went to work at Mitchell Field Air Force Base as a hostess-manager supervising German Prisoners. Later she worked for the New York Telephone Company as an operator.
After her husband came home from the service, she stayed home to take care of their children. When they were older, she worked part-time as a teacher’s assistant for the New York Education Department and taught Religious Instruction at the Church. When her daughter, Dorothy, went to high school and her son, Harry, was in the service, she went to work for Franklin National Bank in Bellmore, New York as teller of special services and bookkeeping. Later, due to illness, she stayed at home, and then moved to North Newport, New Hampshire helping her husband, Harry, build an addition onto their small house.
Mrs. Keller was a Girl Scout Leader for Troop #358, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of NH, and a member of the Red Hat Society in Newport, NH. While living in North Newport she was an active member of her church and Senior Center along with volunteering at the public library, Newport Opera House, and the Newport Thrift Shop. During her later years, Mrs. Keller was fortunate enough to travel to Paris, France to visit her youngest granddaughter who was studying there, complete a family tour of Ireland, and three weeks ago a week in Disney with her family. She loved going to the library, sewing, quilting, dancing, and spending time with her family, especially her great-grand children.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy Keller and Tom White, of Laconia, NH; a daughter-in-law Cathie Keller of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; grandchildren including James Keller of Gainesville, Florida, Kim and Tom Lynch of Laconia, and Kaitlyn and Luke Salome of Gilford; and two great grandchildren, Mia Lynch and Ben Lynch, both of Laconia. She was predeceased by her husband Harry J. Keller, who died March 5, 2002, and her son, Harry J. Keller, Jr., who died December 12, 2004. She was loved and will be missed by many!
Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013 from 6:00-8:00PM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:00AM at St. Andre Bessette Parish - St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, NH
Burial will be at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:00AM.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in her name to the Laconia Public Library, 695 Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.