Thelma Louise Fitzgerald Keppel

Thelma Louise Fitzgerald Keppel, age 100, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. A native and longtime resident of New Orleans she had been in the residential care of Masonic Homes Kentucky for the past nine years. Born March 6,1917 to the marriage of William G. Fitzgerald and Pauline Kern Fitzgerald she had an older brother Clarence and a younger sister and brother, twins Elaine and William, Jr. Thelma attended the public schools of Orleans Parish and later began a course of study at the former Spencerian College. During that period of her life she met John H. Keppel also of New Orleans. A relationship soon developed and they were married on August 6, 1941 at Jackson Ave. E & R Church. With the United States' entry into World War II in December of that year John joined the U.S. Army. He was subsequently sent to Europe where he served until 1945. Throughout those years Thelma was employed by the Higgins Boat Co. She took a measure of pride in that given Higgins' significance in the nation's war effort. Following John's discharge and return home the couple began to plan for a family. To their marriage was born two children, son John H. Keppel, Jr. ("Jay") and daughter Yvette Louise Keppel. Thelma devoted herself to making a good home for her family. However, due to some recurring war-related health issues for John she combined that with re-entering the workforce. Thereafter she worked continuously until retiring in 2002. Thelma was a loving and dedicated mother and found great joy in all things family-related. She was also quite active and committed to her church family at St. Paul's U.C.C. Although she did not have an easy path throughout her adult life she never complained and always kept her priorities firmly in place. Gifted with a remarkably strong constitution and generally excellent health she was always grateful for the blessings that she had. In March, 2017 she celebrated her 100th birthday with her family, some of whom traveled considerable distances to be with her. True to form, she questioned as to whether or not she was actually 100, but was nevertheless overjoyed to see everyone. Within a month, however, her dear daughter Yvette succumbed at age 64 to the Stage 4 cancer which she'd been facing since 2011. That proved to be too great a loss for Thelma. Her already frail condition began to decline steeply. In her final weeks she was transferred into hospice care. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sister, her former husband and by her daughter, Yvette Keppel Green Pazos. In death she is survived by her son, John H. Keppel, Jr., by grandchildren John H. Keppel, III, Jessica Keppel Conatser (Brent), Kristopher L. Green - all of Louisville, Kentucky, Rachel Keppel Milligan (Kyle) of Portland, Oregon, and two great-granddaughters, Arabella Conatser and Sophia Conatser, also of Louisville. She is additionally survived by former daughter-in-law Kathleen Knieper Keppel, by nieces Maureen F. Wagoner, Kathleen R. Wiley, Patricia F. Cryar and Sharon R. Gancarcik, nephew William G. Fitzgerald, III, by a number of great-nieces and great-nephews and by additional extended family members and friends. Services for Thelma will be held Friday, Oct. 6, 2017 at Leitz-Eagan FH on Veterans Blvd. Visitation to begin at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral at 1:00 p.m., Pastor Andrew Greenhaw of St. Paul's U.C.C officiating. Interment following at Hope Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, St. Paul's U.C.C. of New Orleans or a charity of one's choosing. An online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.