Obituary of Harriett E. Keys

Longtime Boulder resident Harriett E. Keys, 89, passed away at Tru Community Hospice on Sunday November 23rd, after a long illness. A Memorial service in celebration of Harriett’s life will be held at 1:30 P.M, Friday, December 19, 2014 at 1st Presbyterian Church, 1820 15th St. Boulder. A reception will follow the service at the church. Harriett was born on January 9, 1925 in Lincoln Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1946 after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. While at the University, Harriett joined the local chapter of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, an affiliation which would ultimately result in the opening of the Gamma Phi Sorority Beta Rho Chapter at the University of Colorado. In 1944, at a Gamma Phi dance, Harriett met a dashing young Army Air Corps B-25 pilot stationed in Lincoln, named Warren Keys. As it turned out they would spend the next 56 years together. At the close of World War II, Harriett, Warren and their young Son, Roger, moved from Lincoln to Boulder. All it took was one night at the Hotel Boulderado, they both knew that Boulder would be where they would raise their family and put down roots. In addition to being a full time Mother of two boys, Harriett found the time to volunteer her talents to many organizations in Boulder. Harriett was a lifelong member, and volunteer at the First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. She was a member of the Boulder Jaycees, and a 42-year member of the Boulder Country Club. A dedicated Republican, she ran the Boulder office of U.S. Representative Don Brotzman from 1969 until 1973. Harriett was an active alum with the Gamma Phi sorority, and was instrumental in the creation of the University of Colorado Chapter in 1952, giving her time to the sorority as an alumni advisor until the mid 1980’s. Harriett was a 30 plus year member of the Boulder Community Hospital Auxiliary. Both she and Warren dedicated many years of service to the hospital. In 1987 Harriett was named “Volunteer of the Year” at Boulder Community Hospital. She continued her service to the Hospital for many years beyond that. More recently Harriett resumed her focus on watercolor painting. Her work was featured at gallery opening and exposition at Frasier Meadows Manor in 2012. Harriett’s painting was her passion, which she continued until right before her passing. Harriett was preceded in death by her Husband, Warren “Sam” Keys, and Son Roger W. Keys. She is survived by Son Geoffrey Keys of Boulder, Grandson, Truman Storm Keys, Madison WI, and best friend Lucy Jones. Contributions: Frasier Meadows Manor Residence Assistance Fund, 4900 Thunderbird Dr. Boulder, CO 80303 or 1st Presbyterian Church Deacon’s Closet, 1820 15th St. Boulder, CO 80302