Mary T. Keil

Mary Teresa Keil was called home on Sunday, November 12, 2023. She was at great peace knowing the love, care, and comfort she had given to others, especially her family, had in return blessed her and she could journey on to her greatest glory.

Mary will always fill the hearts of those who love her, especially her children, Mark (Sue), John (Lois), Steven (Tammy), Anne, Mary Beth (Randy) King, Matthew (Joanna), and Christopher. Her grandchildren, Benjamin (Sarah), Jacob, Nathan (Amber), Emily, (Connor), Sean, Clare, Ian, Natalie, Will, Alyssa (James), Spencer (Meghan), Brandon, Aaron, Jordan, and step grandsons, Anthony, Travis, Brady, and Zachary. Three great grandchildren, Oliver, Sawyer, and Evelyn complete her family. Mary is survived by her brothers, Robert (Audrey) Sack, John (Kay) Sack, Kathryn (Robert) Curtis, and sisters-in-law, Judy, Sharon, and Rose. She joins her beloved husband, John, parents Robert John and Mary Teresa Sack, and brother, Joseph who passed on before her.

Mary Teresa was born on Friday, March 13th, 1931, in Adrian, Michigan the very same day and date as her mother Mary Teresa 23 years before. The family has always found this to be the luck of their Irish heritage.

Mary’s early years in Tecumseh and Adrian, Michigan helped develop her commitment to her faith, family, and friendships and her kind, nurturing character. After graduating from St Joseph Academy in 1949, she set off for the “big” city of Toledo, Ohio where she enrolled and graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. Her Toledo venture also brought about a blind date to the man who became her forever love, John (Jack) Clarence Keil. Mary and Jack were married on November 19th, 1955. They celebrated 65 years of wedded bliss together. This Michigan-Ohio union (yep…a house divided, but for only one Saturday each year) created seven lifetime loves and the mass chaos only a strong and loving mother like Mary could tame. She implemented the use of “time-outs” long before they were popularized in other households, utilizing the specific technique of placing a couple of rowdy kids on dining room chairs in opposing directions. Having this brood and all their neighborhood and school friends tested her patience and sharpened her sense of humor. Even as a busy mother she found time for countless volunteer positions from scouts, to rummage sales, and neighborhood block parties, as well as being the uber taxi service to all her children's other activities. She provided many years of wonderful, home cooked meals to her family as they sat in their assigned seats at the table.

Mary and Jack were long time members of Christ the King parish, as she served in many ways including eucharistic minister and funeral lunch coordinator. Other volunteer positions she and Jack put their hearts into included at Heartbeat of Toledo and St Anne’s Hospital.

Mary’s nursing career included working for pediatricians, as a part time school nurse at Whitmer High School, and caring for newborns in the hospital nursery, all of which helped to support her children’s educations. Just prior to retiring from Toledo Hospital, Mary and Jack were proud to watch their family grow with the addition of their children’s spouses. They enjoyed supporting their grandchildren’s many activities and hosted so many cherished family gatherings on holidays and other special occasions.

Mary was also active in her personal pursuits. She and Jack played bridge together with neighborhood and church friends. She also played in women’s only tournaments. Mary was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing and gardening. She was Jack’s co-pilot on family vacations to Michigan, many state parks, and a Tennessee timeshare. Her travels also included visiting family in Connecticut and Arizona and more exotic trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Panama, and Ireland among others.

Mary was known as an open, kind, caring, welcoming, and sweet woman. She was a trusted confidant and friend to many. Mary was a woman who wore many hats and titles, always with an abundance of grace and strength.

A celebration of Mary’s life and the wonderful impact she had on us all will include a visitation at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W Sylvania Ave Toledo, OH between 3:00 and 8:00 pm on Sunday November 19th (Mary and Jack’s anniversary), where a Nurses Honor Guard Service will begin at 7:15 p.m., followed by a Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 20th at 10:30 am at Christ the King Church, 4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo OH. A live stream can be viewed at CKToledo.org . In lieu of flowers the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Heartbeat of Toledo, Christ the King Church, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in her memory.