Concord, NH – Norma Magdalen Wells Keeler of 33 Lawrence Street, Concord, formerly of Epsom and Meredith, NH and North Ft Myers, FL, passed away in the early hours of May 1, 2024, after a short period of failing health. Norma was born on July 11, 1929, the daughter of Arthur A. and Lena Skinner Wells, also of Epsom.
Norma, wife to the love of her life, Duane L. Keeler for 72 years before his passing in October of 2020 was an active member of the Epsom and N. Ft Myers communities and at the time of her passing, was the longest member of her beloved New Rye Congregational Church. She was also a long term member of the Pembroke Congregational Church in Pembroke; the St. Johns on the Lake Church on Bear Island in Meredith; and the Edison Congregational Church in Ft Myers.
She attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse in Epsom and was a member of the graduating class of 1947 at Pembroke Academy in Pembroke, NH. After graduation, she worked as a telephone operator and an in-home caretaker before her marriage to Duane on June 13, 1948, after which she became a full-time Mom and homemaker, raising 8 very active sons while serving as a cub scout den mother, active member of the PTA, Coast Guard Auxiliary in Florida, as well as her church related activities.
Norma worked with Duane in expanding their house on New Rye Road to accommodate their growing family and built a summer home on their cherished Bear Island in Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee, where they established and operated a seasonal campground for many years, building a network of new friends which became an integral part of their extended family. Watching the loons, feeding her birds and awaiting the daily arrivals of “The Mount” were some of Mom’s favorite pastimes at the lake. They also established Keeler Family Realtors in Pembroke, NH in 1977 and grew it into one of the most successful real estate firms in New Hampshire before retiring in 1991.
Norma was a very accomplished seamstress, knitter, crocheter and needle pointer who created numerous hand-crafted articles. Mom/Gram/GG/G Ma knitted hundreds of hats, scarves and mittens for her sons, daughter-in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grands as well as numerous friends. In her later years she made dozens of hats and mittens to donate to her favorite charity, The Friends of Forgotten Children in Concord, NH.
In addition to being an avid Celtics fan, Mom was kept very busy traveling with Dad to hundreds of games at Pembroke Academy, St. Paul’s School, Babson College, UNH and Keene State as they were avid supporters of their sons in basketball, baseball and track events in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. She also enjoyed boating in Florida on their boat, The Sea Nymph, as well as playing cards and board games with whoever had the time to join her!
In addition to her husband Duane, Norma was predeceased by her siblings, Donald Wells, Natalie Monty, Neal Wells and Naida Gay, grandson Ethan Keeler and great grand-daughter Nola Elizabeth Pope. Survivors include her 8 sons and their wives; Jody/Peg, Dwight/Leslie, Donald/Denise, Craig/Wendy, Jeffrey/Cathy, Patrick/Cindy, Michael/Karen and Eric/Brandi as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and close friends.
The family would like to thank Deb and Emil Kellerman of N. Ft Myers, FL, and Evelyn and Peter Johnson of Lawrence Street in Concord, NH for their many selfless years of service in the care of Norma and Duane, which permitted them the opportunity to live out their later years as they wished, independently, in comfort and dignity.
In lieu of flowers, it was Norma’s request that donations in her name be made to the New Rye Church, PO Box 217, Epsom, NH 03234 and/or The Friends of Forgotten Children, 224 Bog Rd, Concord, NH 03303. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com