Rosemary Hess Keller

94, of Phoenix,

peacefully went to be with the Lord on Wednesday December 7, 2016. Rosemary was born on September 6, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio to Charlotte and Carl Hess. Growing up she loved playing all sports, was extremely artistic and creative, had an insatiable appetite for reading and an adventurous spirit. She graduated from Mather College, Cleveland, Ohio in 1944 with a Degree in Home Economics. She married William B. “Wild Bill” Keller on June 16, 1945. In 1957, with 7 kids in tow, they moved to Phoenix and soon their family grew to include 4 more children. In addition to raising 11 children, Rosemary was extremely active with her church community, Saint Thomas the Apostle Sodality, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school activities and sports. Throughout most of her life she enjoyed needlepoint, reading, quilting, sewing, ice skating, snow skiing and traveling to their Prescott cabin and Durango condo, or spending time in the family motor home, but her greatest priority and joy always remained her family.

She is survived by William Keller, Jr., Richard Keller (Tamra). Ronald Keller (Susan, deceased), Margaret ‘Peggy’ Jacobson (Ken), Robert Keller (Laura), James Keller, Rosemary Dwork (Ernie), John ‘Hunts’ Keller, Charlene ‘Odie’ Keller, Virginia ‘Virgo’ LaJoie (Mark), 16 grandchildren and 7 great, grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband William B. Keller ‘Wild Bill’, son Kenneth Keller, sister Florence B. Druckenbrod and brother Frederick Hess. A Vigil will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M., Monday, December 12, 2016 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312 E. Campbell Avenue in Phoenix. Burial to follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Catholic Charities of Phoenix; www.catholiccharitiesusa.org