Lanora Ann Keller

October 19, 1934 to March 30, 2022

Lanora Keller – wife, mother, grandma, and beloved Gigi (great grandma) – bravely passed surrounded by her loved ones on March 30. A rare lifetime Phoenician, Lanora was born on October 19, 1934, to Clennia and Wayne Douthit. Her sweet disposition and beautiful laugh caught the attention of Jon Keller as classmates at Phoenix Union High School. The two began dating and became inseparable, marrying upon graduation in 1952. Their love and commitment to each other was evident to all who knew them, with Lanora gently looking after Jon until his passing in 2015.

Those who knew Lanora will remember her for many things: hostess of fabulous parties and holiday celebrations, Girl Scout leader, sideline cheerleader at sporting events, and vacation-planner extraordinaire. But to her family she was the center of the universe and wore the distinguished title of mom to Kari Eslick (Tom), Penney, Joni Parks (Clayton), and the late Duane; grandma to Jon, Danielle, Cody, Nicole, Melissa, Christina and Rebecca; and great grandma to Taelin, Duane, Elliott, Taylor, Carter, Brady, Adalyn, Dylan, Kate, Brooklyn, Nora and Stella.

Not only was she a supporter of her family and her late husband’s business endeavors, but Lanora was also an avid supporter of the arts – mostly notably the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. May we all be inspired to live as she did – loving her family deeply; appreciating the beauty of nature daily; and speaking only words of kindness and joy. In recognition of Lanora’s love for gardening and bright flowers, guests of her services are encouraged to wear a cheerful color in lieu of black.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 15, 2022, from 5pm to 7pm at Resthaven Mortuary, 4310 E Southern, Phoenix. Funeral services will take place at the same location on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at 11am. Her family requests that instead of flowers, a donation in her name be made to Hospice of the Valley (https://www.hov.org/donate/ or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014).