Obituary for Barbara Dawn Keyes
Barbara Keyes was born in 1936. She died in February 2023 in Colorado. She was 86 years old.
Barbara grew up in Connecticut with one of her favorite pastimes being archery. Barbara won the National
Flight Archery Competition. In high school, she was a Certified Archery Instructor at the Teela-Wooket
Archery Camp, directed by Hall of Famer, Mimi Miller. It was Mimi that introduced Barbara to her eventual
husband, Jerry Keyes.
Following their long distance relationship, they married in 1958. After a honeymoon centered around Navy
baseball, they headed to Corpus Christi, TX where Barbara started her career as a Physical Education
Teacher at Corpus Christi High School. They were transferred to Hawaii where Barbara purchased their first
home, much to Jerry’s surprise (he was away at training)! What a bold, fortuitous decision that helped the
family get off to a good financial start.
While stationed in Hawaii, Barbara taught for a year following which her first two children were born.
At this point in her life, Barbara shifted from PE teaching to focus solely on raising a family. Her next two
children were born in NJ. Barbara poured her love, enthusiasm, strength, and faith into her four children.
She cared for her oldest son for 23 years following a tragic auto accident; never complaining, and finding
creative ways to enrich his life. Her faith impacted her other three children whose Christianity has been
foundational in their families.
Among Barbara’s favorite activities were tennis, golf, and bridge. Barbara was hostess extraordinaire
whether the gathering was large or small, friends or family, or large fundraising events (including five Young
Life galas!). She had a strong love of relationships with family and friends. During retirement, Barbara and
Jerry followed their children from Virginia to Colorado to be with their grandchildren. Barbara’s favorite wall-
hanging that says: “Nana’s Kitchen … Where Memories are Made and Grandkids are Spoiled” rings true for
the entire family! Barbara’s tremendous energy and enthusiasm for life that she used to serve others will be
remembered and treasured.
Barbara was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Keyes and her parents, Nelson and Alice Van Popering.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Jerome Keyes, Jr., her daughter Dawn Pratt (spouse Dan), her son
Bruce Keyes (spouse LaRae), her daughter Laura Hamilton (spouse Glenn), her grandchildren Michelle
Phillips-Pratt (spouse Kevin), Mark Pratt (spouse Lizzy), Amy Leong (spouse Chris), Dani Hamilton, Michael
Hamilton, Carly Keyes, Cody Keyes, Kenzie Keyes, and one great-granddaughter Grace Pratt.
The family is hosting a drop-in reception at Golden Eagle Community Center, 715 Broadway Street, Eagle, CO 81631 on Monday, February 13 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Senior Spot program of Caregiver Connections, PO Box 9727, Avon, CO 81620, https://getcaregiverconnections.org/donate
Barbara grew up in Connecticut with one of her favorite pastimes being archery. Barbara won the National
Flight Archery Competition. In high school, she was a Certified Archery Instructor at the Teela-Wooket
Archery Camp, directed by Hall of Famer, Mimi Miller. It was Mimi that introduced Barbara to her eventual
husband, Jerry Keyes.
Following their long distance relationship, they married in 1958. After a honeymoon centered around Navy
baseball, they headed to Corpus Christi, TX where Barbara started her career as a Physical Education
Teacher at Corpus Christi High School. They were transferred to Hawaii where Barbara purchased their first
home, much to Jerry’s surprise (he was away at training)! What a bold, fortuitous decision that helped the
family get off to a good financial start.
While stationed in Hawaii, Barbara taught for a year following which her first two children were born.
At this point in her life, Barbara shifted from PE teaching to focus solely on raising a family. Her next two
children were born in NJ. Barbara poured her love, enthusiasm, strength, and faith into her four children.
She cared for her oldest son for 23 years following a tragic auto accident; never complaining, and finding
creative ways to enrich his life. Her faith impacted her other three children whose Christianity has been
foundational in their families.
Among Barbara’s favorite activities were tennis, golf, and bridge. Barbara was hostess extraordinaire
whether the gathering was large or small, friends or family, or large fundraising events (including five Young
Life galas!). She had a strong love of relationships with family and friends. During retirement, Barbara and
Jerry followed their children from Virginia to Colorado to be with their grandchildren. Barbara’s favorite wall-
hanging that says: “Nana’s Kitchen … Where Memories are Made and Grandkids are Spoiled” rings true for
the entire family! Barbara’s tremendous energy and enthusiasm for life that she used to serve others will be
remembered and treasured.
Barbara was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Keyes and her parents, Nelson and Alice Van Popering.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Jerome Keyes, Jr., her daughter Dawn Pratt (spouse Dan), her son
Bruce Keyes (spouse LaRae), her daughter Laura Hamilton (spouse Glenn), her grandchildren Michelle
Phillips-Pratt (spouse Kevin), Mark Pratt (spouse Lizzy), Amy Leong (spouse Chris), Dani Hamilton, Michael
Hamilton, Carly Keyes, Cody Keyes, Kenzie Keyes, and one great-granddaughter Grace Pratt.
The family is hosting a drop-in reception at Golden Eagle Community Center, 715 Broadway Street, Eagle, CO 81631 on Monday, February 13 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Senior Spot program of Caregiver Connections, PO Box 9727, Avon, CO 81620, https://getcaregiverconnections.org/donate