In loving memory of our mom, Janice Arlene Keef, who passed away on September 14, 2022. She was born on May 12th, 1941 in Grafton, ND to parents, Robert A. Gillespie and Alvira Jeanette Mageli, and grew up on a small farm with her parents and grandparents. She graduated from Walsh County Agricultural School as an honor student where she shined, participating in every club and social activity possible. She eventually became the devoted wife of James Alford Keef (for 54 years) and the loving mother of Jeffrey, Collette, and Christopher; and grandmother of Nicole, Joshua, Bethany, Holly, Daniel, Noah, and Chloe.
Our mom was a kind, caring and giving person who always put the needs of her family, whom she fiercely loved, before her own self. She was always our biggest cheerleader. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with resilience. At times mom had to work to provide for the family and later to ensure a Christian education for her children. Mom had to be the sole parent for her young children for a while and again later in life as a Navy wife while her husband was away on duty. While we were growing up, Mom was always there for us, whether we needed help on a school project, driving lessons, or just some encouragement. She came to a saving faith in her Lord as an adult and from that point forward endeavored to make a Christian home and instill such values in her children. She treated nearly everyone with whom she would come in contact as, not just her neighbor, but even as family. She epitomized true Charity as described in 1 Corinthians 13.
She was a source of inspiration to us all, and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.
Funeral Services will be held, Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 2:00pm in the chapel of Fraser Funeral Home, 8168 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221 with Rev, Paul Hainey officiating followed by interment in Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, 800 Hammond Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32221. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital—a charity dear to her heart.
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