Susan Marie Keelor

Susan Marie (Haines) Keelor was born in Redondo Beach, California, to the late John and Marguerite (Del Valle) Haines on Jan. 28, 1937. She passed away on June 5 surrounded by family at her home in Hamilton.

Susan is survived by her children, Kelly (Keelor) Mowe, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Richard Keelor and wife, Rose, of Round Hill; and Ryan Keelor and wife, Josette, of Berryville. She is also survived by six granddaughters?Sarah, Grace and Olivia Keelor; and Caroline, Annmarie and Katelynn Mowe?and a great-grandson, Noah Mowe, her brothers, Michael Haines and Tom Haines, Tom's wife, Ruth, along with many other family members and dear friends.

Susan grew up in Redondo Beach and graduated from Redondo Beach High School. She achieved a bachelor's degree in elementary education from San Jose State University. She moved to Northern Virginia in 1972, where she later earned her master's degree in gerontology from George Mason University.

Beginning her career in elementary education, Susan later realized a passion for geriatrics. She was a wonderful member of the aging services community, moving easily through several leadership roles in the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging. A centerpiece of her professional work was the Adult Day Center in Leesburg, where she served for years as program manager. Mac Brownell and the Friends of the Respite Center, encouraged the county to provide a program for persons with dementia. The focus was on both the persons with dementia and on their caregivers who would benefit from a respite from caregiving. "The Friends of", a group of caring, hard working women, raised money for the facility by baking and selling "Nancy's Cookies" garnering community and county support. Susan set up the respite program before there was a building and was running it in extra office space on Miller Drive.

Years later a specially designed building was constructed on Meadowview Court in Leesburg. Susan did significant work to see that project through and the Respite Center (now called Adult Day Center) started providing service in 1997. From the beginning it was called "the House that Love Built." Susan made it more than a program. Her gentle personality, intelligence, and sense of humor provided staff, participants, and families with a feeling that the "House that Love Built" was a safe place for all. With Mac Brownell, Susan inspired that philosophy. Mac, who played a critical role in starting the Leesburg Adult Day Center, was Susan's dear friend and mentor. Susan inherited the mantle Mac had worn in supporting this extraordinary program?first as managing staff and then as advisory board chair.

After retiring in 2002, she enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and watching them grow. She served as a volunteer on advisory boards for the Carver Center in Purcellville, the Adult Day Center in Leesburg, and as a home delivered meals volunteer. Through her staff roles and volunteer jobs, Susan formed many close contacts with Loudoun County seniors and their families. She was an important friend to many. Susan was an avid reader and a devoted member of a longtime book club. She also loved going to the beach and sitting by her backyard pool. Her greatest love was her family.

Services will be held June 30 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville followed by interment at 2 p.m. at Cool Spring Natural Cemetery at Holy Cross Abbey east of Berryville. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Susan's name to the Mac Brownell Adult Day Center, 200 Willy Palmer Way, Purcellville, VA 20132, with checks made payable to the County of Loudoun.

Arrangements by Hall Funeral Home, Purcellville, VA.