Elizabeth R. Keller 1948-2022

Beth was at the Citrus Hospice House, a beautiful facility in Lecanto, Fla. Beth had lived in Palm Harbor since 1992. “Beth did not live in Lecanto, because honestly, ‘Lecanto sucks’ (if you are to believe the graffiti on the boat underpass on your way to The Three Sisters Springs). The reason I know this is because we took a boat out that way many times to see the manatees. It was a fun adventure. Our family went on many fun adventures.

“Mom was always adamant about spending copious amounts of quality time with her loved ones that sometimes seemed to border (but never crossed) into excess. Looking back, it was never excess. Beth was our light, our beacon, the matriarch of the Keller family.

“Gary Lee Keller was visiting his sister, Dolores, and they were driving down the street together when he first saw Beth. He said to Dolores, “I am going to marry that girl,” and he did. Beth married Gary Lee Keller, of Cumberland, Md., on March 9, 1968. Beth gave birth to Tricia Elizabeth Helene Keller on Oct. 12, 1971. She loved Tricia with all of her heart, 100 percent. This lasted until Beth gave birth to her baby boy, Ross Garland Keller II, on Sept. 23, 1982.At this moment, her love was split 50/50 between her two children (maybe 51/49, depending on who’s answering). Beth saw her main contribution to society as being a world-class mother and wife.”

She accomplished so much during her career as a mom and wife (including mother of the year in ’89 and again in ’02, and WOTY in 2010). Beth took her job raising her children very seriously. She constantly surrounded them with love, laugher and the gentlest judgment-free kindness. In her presence, both of her children and all of their friends were surrounded by warmth. Beth was also very, very bright, well read and a quick learner. At the age of 50, she used those skills to go into her second profession as a patient care tech at Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor, Fla. Beth was a natural and thrived at her profession as a caretaker from her past experience as an exceptional wife and mother.

Beth approached every day humbly, without ego, and with a level of empathy unfathomable to most. Her patients and coworkers — from the custodians to the brain surgeons — admired and respected her equally, and that is a testament to how she treated others, regardless of their caste. Over her 10-year career at BayCare, Beth earned many accolades and awards for her performance. Beth was also the co-founder of Ross Insurance Group, established 2004, in Dunedin, Fla.

Beth was the antithesis of a taker. Her mind was as sharp as a tack. Her wit was the quickest, even until the final days. “She loved to laugh and making her laugh were some of my greatest accomplishments as she did not crack easy.”

Bethie, as some of her friends referred to her as, loved all of God’s animals. She was an advocate for the voiceless, multi-leg creatures before it was the thing to do. Biggie and Twinkie, her kitties, were her favorite and she took care of both for over 20 years. Beth also supported the arts throughout her life, with an emphasis on cinema in her early life, and ballet, often accompanied by her granddaughter, Zoey, in her later life.

“Beth Rae Keller will be remembered as the most beloved and respected mother, the most magnificent Nanni, and a loyal and true friend to all (from those with two legs, to those with 16). Her life was marked with trips, adventures and fun, for the most part. Our only hope is there could have been more. But she would say, ‘Remember the time you shared not what you didn’t get or think of those who grew up without a parent.’ And we will. She gave us all the wisdom she had and gave every part of herself to those who she knew and loved. Nanni was a beautiful woman, stunning woman, a majestic woman, a Queen. Hug and kiss your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Do a small act of kindness for someone; pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru line, spend some time with those who are often forgotten, or stop and help the turtle get across to the other side of the road safely. If you need a reason? Do it for Nanni, because Nanni would have done it for you.”

Beth will be missed, mourned, and loved by all.

Beth is survived by her son, Ross Keller; daughter-in-law, Cara Ellen Crawford Keller; and granddaughter, Zoey Helene Keller of Tarpon Springs, Fla. Beth is survived by her daughter, Tricia MacGregor; son-in-law, Andrew Ian MacGregor, and Annabelle Elizabeth MacGregor of Homosassa, Fla. She is also survived by her sister, Cynthia Haider of Minnesota; brother, Richard Fiscus of Ohio; and 12 nieces and nephews throughout the U.S. as well.

The wake / viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Curlew Hill Memorial Gardens in Palm Harbor, Fla. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, March 18, 2022, at Curlew Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either Tampa Bay Humane Society or Suncoast Hospice.

(special notice)