Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Former resident Nora Clare Keeling died Dec. 13 in Mount Vernon, Wash. She was 74 and suffered from complications of diabetes.

Nora was born in Reno, Nev. on Nov. 26, 1936. Her father was a farmer and her mother, a housewife. While she was still an infant, her family moved to Yakima, Wash. She graduated from Yakima High School, where she played clarinet in band.

Nora met husband James while in high school and they got married after her graduation and before he entered the Air Force during the Korean conflict. He served 20 years as a mechanic.

"He kept everything rolling," said daughter Cecilia Reed, including their family, which moved nearly annually between Lower 48 air bases, as well as ones in Japan and in the Philippines.

The family was living in Great Falls, Mont., when James Keeling retired in 1973 and asked the family where they wanted to go. "We all said, ‘Haines.’ It was an out-of-the-way place to move to, but we loved it."

Two of Nora’s siblings already were living and working in Haines and James quickly found work as a sawyer at the Schnabel Lumber Co. Cecilia was 16 and sisters Emma and Judy were about 10 years younger at the time of the move.

Nora took to life in Haines and enjoyed family outings. "She loved going out to Chilkoot Lake and picnicking there and in the Kelsall. We just enjoyed the whole territory."

Nora served about 15 years as a Girl Scout leader and also was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, which she served several years as president. She was a member of the Port Chilkoot Bible Church.

Haines was as much a hometown as Nora and her family ever had, Cecilia said. "I still think of Haines as home because it was the first one I had after moving for 20 years."

The family moved to Mount Vernon in 1991, partly to be closer to medical facilities. Nora also was able to care for her aging parents, who lived in nearby Sedro Woolley. A highlight in recent years was traveling back to Arkansas, where James was born.

Reed said her mother enjoyed reading romance novels and quilting, and took great joy in being a mother and wife. She also maintained a positive attitude.

"She was cheerful and upbeat and would help you in any way she could. If you needed comfort, she was always there with a home-baked pie. And she was always looking for that next good cookbook," Reed said.

Keeling is survived by daughters Cecilia Reed of Mount Vernon, Emma Sampson of Klawock, and Judy Kley of Anchorage, by five siblings in Washington state and Alaska, and by one grand-daughter, Nicole Sampson, of Klawock.

A private, family service was held Dec. 23. Keeling was buried beside her husband in Mount Vernon. Cards in remembrance may be sent care of Cecilia Reed, 1705 E. Section St., Mount Vernon, Wash. 98274.