Anne Marie Guckenberger Keel, age 97, died on Sunday, February 15, 2015, at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home, Wheeling, WV. The daughter of George and Christine Guckenberger, Ann was born September 24, 1917 in Jersey City, N.J. She lived most of her life in New Jersey and in southern New York State. She moved with her husband to Wheeling in October 2008 to be closer to their son, Fr. Edwin L. Keel, S.M., who was serving at the time at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Wheeling. Preceding her in death were her parents, her two siblings, and her beloved husband Edwin W. Keel. Anne was schooled at St. Nicholas Elementary in Jersey City, Holy Family Business School in Union City, N.J. and Dickensen Evening School in Jersey City, where she completed a high school diploma. She worked for L.O. Koven Bldg. Supply Co., operating a bookkeeping machine for keeping record of stock and supplies, for about two years until she married. Thereafter, she became a housewife and mother, and occasionally took in typing and bookkeeping work at home. Anne was very devoted to her Catholic faith and to her church. She was a Cub Scout den mother for the local parish troop of the Boy Scouts of America in Paramus, N.J., when her sons were Cub Scouts. Later, after her husband retired and the children had grown up, and while they were living in Stony Point, NY, she and her husband served their parish in many ways, especially as Eucharistic Ministers. They brought Holy Communion to shut-ins and led prayer services in retirement homes and nursing homes. Anne assisted her husband in directing the Legion of Mary in the parish. She is survived by her sons, Rev. Edwin L. Keel, S.M. of Wheeling, and Dr. Brian G. Keel Doctorate in Ecological Science and his wife Carolyn of Shushan, NY; her daughter, Barbara Ann Duda of Stony Point, NY; and granddaughter, Nancy Duda. Visitation will be Monday, February 23, 2015 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home Chapel, 159 Edgington Lane, Wheeling. A vigil prayer service will take place at 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Mrs. Keel’s son, Fr Edwin L. Keel, S.M., on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Elm Grove, Wheeling, WV. Interment in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling. Arrangements entrusted to the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger St., Wheeling. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the foreign missions of the religious order to which her son belongs: Marist Missions, 27 Isabella Street, Boston, MA 02116. Offer condolences online at altmeyer.com
Family, we are sorry to learn of your loss. May your many memories bring you peace. May the words of David at Psalm 34:18 bring you comfort, Almighty God is always near to those with a broken heart and He saves those who are crushed in spirit. Our sympathy to all of you.