Alice "Lee" Keizer's Obituary
Alice E. (Lee) Keizer passed from Earth on January 29, 2017. She left an indelible mark on her loved ones' hearts. Lee was a, “Downton Abbey” girl. Her mother, Tryphena Gadsden, lived “upstairs” in an English Manor, met and married Arthur Parry, a “downstairs” gardener. Her parents immigrated to the United States where Lee was born in Seattle, August 22, 1918. Pulling produce in her wagon from her father's garden, to give to hungry neighbors was one of her earliest memories. Tea, in bone china cups with beautiful napkins, table cloths and fresh cut flowers was one of her longest rituals. She lived to serve and love others.
Alice was an only child, a very bright little girl who was continually grade skipped in grammar school. Struggling with shyness, she settled into Jason Lee Junior High where she met many true lifelong friends.
Lee's post high school business schooling taught her many skills. She loved her work at NW Door and the Cheney Lumber Company. Her exquisite penmanship and organizational skills transferred into many parts of her life. Adeptness at shorthand meant she had a secret code only she could understand. . . handy while raising a family.
Lee married her high school sweetheart, Forest William (Bill) Keizer, and took on the role of wife and mother with vigor and honor. Together their family quickly grew to include four daughters.
She was an excellent seamstress, and set up her own “factory,” sewing AND ironing dresses for her four daughters. With the arrival of the first grandson, she quickly switch hit to full sets of pajamas and bathrobes - which mercifully for her daughters needed no ironing. She adored her nine grandchildren, and they her. There was always a card and note to celebrate a birthday or special event. In it was a $2.00 bill reminding each child that they too were unique and special. The grandkids knew the value of a timer for chores, naps or wait time before swimming. Certain “grandma rules” were set in stone. . . two pairs of socks for the grandkids - so they wouldn't get sick on her watch, a generous bath of vinegar to soothe a sunburn . . . or at least to make you quit complaining, making a daily pie for her beloved husband . . . or two when a grandchild came.
Her family brought her immeasurable joy and she blessed them with the love of nature, appreciation for a kind and compassionate heart, the joy of working, the desire to learn, the beauty of picking berries and the caring for all God's creatures . . . except maybe moles in her garden. Her grandchildren; Glenn Smith, Sonja Hanson, Jennifer Hudson, Tiffany Barrett, Heather Mouw, Jeff Hanson, Adam ,Collin and Jacob Brock simply could not have been loved or cherished more. Lee had a kind and loving heart that included her eight great-grandchildren, her many friends, nieces, nephew and relatives.
Lee loved swimming, (sidestroke only/pink ruffled bathing cap bobbing), and swam with her grandchildren at their cabin on Carney Lake, well into her late 80's. She walked to school and back while relishing the kids as an assistant on NE Tacoma's playground. She loved recess MORE than the kids because she could BE with the kids.
Lee absorbed and appreciated nature through the mountains she hiked and camped in with her family. She trekked the National Parks when she and Bill retired and took off in their little wooden homemade camper. She swallowed her trepidation for long flights to walk the cobblestone streets of Europe to be part of the graduation and marriage of her grandchildren. There simply is no where on earth she wouldn't go to “be there,” for a grandchild.
Alice was a loving daughter, remarkable wife, wonderful mother, incredible grandmother and devoted friend. The ding of a timer, whiff of vinegar, aroma of a fresh cut flower, darned hole in a sock, luxurious taste of a warm piece of pie will always remind us of her . . . but the love in our hearts is her true and lasting legacy.
A list of accomplishments in Lee's life can be distilled simply to, she loved fiercely and was fiercely loved.
Lee is survived by her beloved husband, Forest William (Bill) Keizer, who kept his promise that she would never live a day without him, her four daughters; Jonne Hanson (Stan), Claudia Smith (Scott), Marcia Keizer, and Ann Brock (Chuck).
A celebration of life will take place in late summer when her “beautiful” family including the grandchildren; Glenn Smith, Sonja Saar, Jennifer Hudson, Tiffany Barrett, Heather Mouw, Jeff Hanson, Adam, Collin and Jacob Brock can participate.
Remembrances on her behalf cam be submitted to Multi-Care Hospice: PO Box 5200; Tacoma, WA 98415-9906
Please share your memories of Lee and condolences to the family by visiting the tribute wall.
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