Carolyn Eleanor Keller

Carolyn Eleanor Keller (nee Lewe) completed her life’s journey on April 12. She suffered a tragic fall on April 1. She was cared for at Wake Med’s ICU by a team of kind and skilled doctors, nurses, and technicians. She was attended at her peace filled death by her husband of 50 years, Dennis Keller. She was well fortified with the Sacrament of Anointing and Apostolic Blessing for her final journey.

She was born January 28, 1936, in Cincinnati, OH to Clarence Lewe and Hilda (nee Streibig) Lewe. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister Mary Louise Cameron and husband, Francis, Kenneth Lewe and wife Marcella, and Roger and wife Alma. Nephew William Cameron and niece Cheryl Cole also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband Dennis Keller, son Joseph (Melissa Mulvaney) and daughter Jennifer Harrison (David) as well as three grandchildren, Charles Harrison, Willem Keller, and Anna Harrison.

As a teenager, she entered formation for religious Sisterhood with the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Her profession name in that Community was Sister Elizabeth Ann. Carol received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 from the University of Dayton. She subsequently took graduate courses at Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, Loyola in Denver, CO, and the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH.

Her first assignment as elementary teacher was at Cure d’Ars in Denver, CO where she taught for four years. Her second assignment was as elementary teacher and Primary Grades Coordinator at St. Francis Xavier school in St. Joe, MO. Her third assignment as religious Sister was with Coldwater Consolidated Schools in Coldwater, OH. She served as Principal of East Elementary for five years. She was also the assigned religious superior at Holy Trinity Convent. In 1970 Carolyn left religious life, continuing her teaching vocation first with Bevis Elementary in Bevis, OH. After her husband’s transfer to Illinois, she served as Learning Center Director and subsequently as Assistant Principal at St. Walter’s parish in Roselle, IL. She then accepted a position with St. Catherine’s Parish in Dundee, IL as Director of Religious Education. Following another transfer of her husband, she served as Director of Religious Education at St. Mary’s parish in Pinckney, MI. She also served as Principal of St. Mary’s school for a year. In 1989 she and her husband created a printing and mailing business in Duluth, GA. She retired in 2007, moving to Garner, NC to be near her children. With her husband, Carol co-edited a newsletter and organized meetings for the Amici, a group of former priests and seminarians from the Society of the Precious Blood.

Carol left religious life in 1970. In 1971 she married Dennis Keller. They shared 50 years of a wonderfully fulfilling life together. They found and retained friends at all locations of the thirteen homes in which they lived.

In conversations with friends gained over her 86 years, each spoke of her kindness, her humor, her joy in living, and her obvious delight in her family. She deeply loved her children and their spouses, caring about each, always greeting with hugs and kisses. Nothing gave Carol greater joy than her children and their families all joining together for a holiday meal. Her grandchildren enriched her life and were a constant topic of conversation. Visits were much anticipated, enjoyed, and especially energizing in more recent years where Carol contended with various health issues.

Carol was a selfless person, gaining pure joy and satisfaction in any moment she helped her family, her friends, or others she met on her journey through life. She will be deeply, deeply missed.

Mass of Resurrection was celebrated May 7 at Sacred Heart Church in Raleigh at 10:30. Msgr. David Brockman presided. Father Joseph Uecker, cherished friend, was the homilist. Interment followed at noon in Raleigh Memorial Gardens in North Raleigh.

In place of floral arrangements, contributions to Catholic Charities in her name would be appropriate.

Our sadness and grief at losing her physical presence has been mitigated by the outpouring of kind greetings and stories that have been shared about her life. Thank you.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Carolyn, or a message of condolence to her family, you may do so below within 'add a memory'.