Shirley Keller

Shirley Jean Starkey Keller, born on July 30, 1927, in Los Angeles, California, passed away on her 97th birthday, July 30, 2024, at Boulder Community Hospital. Shirley grew up in Los Angeles with her beloved sister, Barbara Starkey Neelands, daughters of LAPD Captain Basil Starkey and Edna Schooley Starkey. Shirley attended Dorsey High School in LA and Los Angeles City College before transferring to UCLA and completing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. She met the love of her life, Charles Benjamin Keller, who was in dental school at University of Southern California and after graduating, they got married in 1949. The couple moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1952, where they started their family and remained the rest of their lives. Shirley and Charlie were blessed with four lively children and surrounded them with a busy home to match. In the early years, Shirley worked as a chair assistant at the dental practice and was involved with the Colorado Dental Auxiliary. The couple were both Christians and played an important role in establishing St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Baseline Road in Boulder while not missing a beat with the mandates of daily activities. In 1972, they became active members of First Presbyterian Church in Boulder for the next 52 years.

Like her mother, Shirley was a gifted seamstress and knitter, creating many beautiful outfits for her children and grandchildren. She was also a talented musician and, in addition to playing the violin and the banjo, Shirley sang in the Boulder group JUBILATE for many years, culminating with a performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC. She was a dedicated member of the Boulder Wednesday Ladies Bridge Club for 50 years.

When Charlie retired, they spent their golden years traveling and bicycling throughout the United States. After selling their family home on lower Bluebell Avenue, they moved to The Pearl (formerly The Carillon), where they lived until Charlie's death in 2014 and where Shirley spent the last 12 years of her life.

Shirley is survived by her four children: Kathryn Keller (David Hatfield), Joan Schrader (David), Brian Keller (Angie), and Andrew Keller (Jodi), and her ten loved and cherished grandchildren: Jacob Schrader (Elizabeth), Elise Banker (Jeremy), Eleanor Hardy (Jeff), Nathan Keller (Melissa), Benjamin Keller, Kevin Keller (Amanda), Haley Keller, Hannah Keller, and Andrew (Drew) Keller (Samantha). She is also survived by her six great-grandchildren: Cleo Keller, Boaz Keller, William Schrader, Charles Keller, Elizabeth Keller, and Adelaide Hardy. Shirley was predeceased by her husband and her grandson Spencer Charles Wedum.

A graveside service and burial of the ashes for Shirley will take place in Green Mountain Cemetery in the family plot. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at Grace Commons Church (formerly First Presbyterian Church, 1820 15th Street) in downtown Boulder on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 10:00 am.

Shirley's warmth, kindness, interest in others, and dedication to her family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew her.