Barbara Keyes

Barbara Keyes, April 9th, 1936 - February 3, 2023

Barbara Keyes was born in 1936 and grew up in Connecticut where one of her favorite pastimes was archery. Barbara won the National Flight Archery Competition and in high school, she was a Certified Archery Instructor at the Teela-Wooket Archery Bamp, directly by Hall of Famer, Mimi Miller. It was Mimi that introduced Barbara to Jerry Keyes, who she eventually married in 1958 afrer a long-distance relationship. She died in February 2023 in Colorado. She was 86 years old.

Their honeymoon centered around Navy baseball and then they headed to Corpus Christi, TX where Barbara started her career as a Physical Education Teacher at Corpus Christi High School. They were transferred to Hawaii where Barbara purchased their first home, much to Jerry’s surprise (he was away at training)! What a bold, fortuitous decision that helped the family get off to a good financial start.

While stationed in Hawaii, Barbara taught for a year following which her first two children were born. At this point in her life, Barbara shifted from PE teaching to focus solely on raising a family. Her next two children were born in NJ. Barbara poured her love, enthusiasm, strength, and faith into her four children. She cared for her oldest son for 23 years following a tragic auto accident; never complaining, and finding creative ways to enrich his life. Her faith impacted her other three children whose Christianity has been foundational in their families.

Among Barbara’s favorite activities were tennis, golf, and bridge. Barbara was hostess extraordinaire whether the gathering was large or small, friends or family, or large fundraising events (including five Young Life galas!). She had a strong love of relationships with family and friends. During retirement, Barbara and Jerry followed their children from Virginia to Colorado to be with their grandchildren.

Barbara’s favorite wall-hanging that says: “Nana’s Kitchen … Where Memories are Made and Grandkids are Spoiled” rings true for the entire family! Barbara’s tremendous energy and enthusiasm for life that she used to serve others will be remembered and treasured.

Barbara was a regular at The Senior Spot Adult Day Program and is going to be missed terribly. Eager to help in any way, she could be found vacuuming and cleaning up the tables after the program — and always with a smile.

Barbara was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Keyes and her parents, Nelson and Alice Van Popering. She is survived by her husband, Jerome Keyes, Jr., her daughter Dawn Pratt (spouse Dan), her son Bruce Keyes (spouse LaRae), her daughter Laura Hamilton (spouse Glenn), her grandchildren Michelle Phillips-Pratt (spouse Kevin), Mark Pratt (spouse Lizzy), Amy Leong (spouse Chris), Dani Hamilton, Michael Hamilton, Carly Keyes, Cody Keyes, Kenzie Keyes, and one great-granddaughter Grace Pratt.

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