Florence Keeley

Florence Rachel Baker Keeley passed away Thursday, September 27, 2018 at the age of 94. She was the youngest of 6 children born to Jim and Mable Miller Baker on a small southern Indiana farm. She grew up without electricity during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. Despite the tough times, she mainly remembered her childhood home filled with love and happiness. Flo attended a one-room school house until she entered Salem High School at the age of 12. There she won several art awards including one for the state of Indiana. She graduated from Salem High with honors at the age of 16 and left her farm to work in a factory for three years to earn tuition for nurse's training at St. Anthony's School of Nursing in Louisville. As a student nurse, she met Jack Keeley, chief resident physician at the Louisville Children's Hospital, whom she married in 1946. They were happily married for 62 years, having five children born in three different decades. Flo was a devoted member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church and the Mary Lou Phillips Sunday School Class. An avid reader, she was a long-standing member of the Married Ladies Reading Club and belonged to the Medical Auxiliary. She was an accomplished cook and gardener who enjoyed needlepointing, knitting, and braiding her own wool rugs. Flo loved to entertain and hosted many parties. She had a quick wit and sharp sense of humor with a love of life and a strength beyond her tiny stature. Her passing leaves a huge hole in many lives.

Flo outlived her husband and all her immediate family. She is survived by her five children: John Baker Keeley (Ginger) of Nashville, Samuel B. Keeley of Florida, Jane Keeley Fisher (Jon) of Owensboro, Phillip M. Keeley (Evelyn) of Bowling Green, and Benjamin D. Keeley (Sherri) of Owensboro; 12 grandchildren: Sam Keeley, Jr., Kate Keeley McDonald (Barrett), Jack Keeley (Melissa), Jess Keeley, Patrick Keeley, Ray Fisher (Danielle), Mayme Fisher Malarkey (Andy), Jeff Keeley, Rachel Keeley, Nell Keeley, Josie Keeley, and Sarah Keeley; and six great-grandchildren: Jack, Molly, and Lucy Malarkey, Gwen McDonald, and Ivy and Max Fisher.

The funeral service for Mrs. Keeley will be 1:00 p.m. Monday at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday and from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Monday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Memorial Fund of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. Memories and messages of condolence may be shared with the family of Florence Rachel Baker Keeley at www.glenncares.com.