Georgia Mae Keller, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 5, 2020 at StoryPoint at Rockford with her children by her side, at the age of 93.

She was born on May 6, 1927 in Yukon, Oklahoma to Pascal and Ruth (Wheatly) Smith.

Mom loved helping others and volunteered at the Women’s Resource Center, Domestic Crisis Center and AIDS Resource Center in the late 70’s 80’s and early 90’s.  She also mentored women in need. Mom would purchase clothes for those she mentored since they did not have the resources to do so. She would also invite them to her home for a home cooked meal. She would teach her children and grandchildren the importance of volunteering and of becoming involved.  Georgia’s children and grandchildren would participate in events and walks together in order to create awareness.

Georgia had a passion for learning. At the age of 58, she decided to go back to school, therefore in 1985 she graduated from Aquinas College with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

She was also an avid reader and loved her books.  She wanted to emphasized the importance of reading, it was the window of the world and her passion for learning was endless. She chose to volunteer in the elementary schools in Ada as well as Comstock Park to read to the kids as well as help in the classroom and did this on a weekly basis for many years.

Over the years she rescued senior dogs who most people would look over because of their age. Georgia would rescue 4 senior dogs over time and brought them home to love, walk, and created a comfortable place for them to live out their years.  There is no doubt that Cromwell, Amber, Molly and Duncan were waiting with their tails wagging wildly as she crossed over the Rainbow Bridge to greet them.

Georgia raised six children, five daughters and one son who meant everything to her. They were her main focus that she devoted her life to.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Pauline Lewis. Surviving are her six children, Paula (Skip) Swanson, Julie (Frank) Pauli, Laura (Mike) Dupey, Emily (Ted) Garneau, Rob (Beverly) Keller and Jackie Keller; thirteen grandchildren who so lovingly referred to her as “Granny G” and 24 great grandchildren.

Georgia would have appreciated contributions in her memory to Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary in Lake Odessa, MI.

 

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Georgia’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.