Kathleen Eggar Keys
Biographical Facts
Kathleen Eggar was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on December 13, 1891. She had a sister and three brothers. Her father was a carpenter. He built the house that she and her husband lived in for many years at 1156 Fuller in St. Paul. Her family lived at the lake in the summer. The family spent many happy hours boating, fishing and swimming at Lake Minnetonka.
She drove a car to the University of Minnesota. She graduated from there (in 1912?) and taught high school math and biology in Duluth, Harmony and New Ulm, Minnesota.
Kathleen married Wesley Keys, a well driller, on September 8, 1921. They had four daughters: Dorothy (Seeling) 1922, Jean (Godfrey) 1924, Nancie (Gray) 1931-1978, and Carol (McCarthy) 1932.
She devoted herself to raising a family, running the home and being active at church and P.T.A. "Kit" and Wes had a nice group of friends who enjoyed picnics and parties.
She really had two families. Marj and Jack Keys lived next door. They were called the "next doors." Lorraine, Marilyn and George shared the extra lot. The children played ball and croquet in the summer and skated on the rink in the winter.
Her garden had beautiful flowers all summer as well as vegetables. She canned and made jams and jellies and homemade root beer. Sewing was a hobby.
When the children were grown and Wes retired, they traveled to the West Coast, the Canadian Rockies and the East Coast. Wesley died in 1973.
Kathleen enjoyed her grandchildren and remembered each one on their birthdays. She liked participating in family and holiday celebrations and always brought a contribution. On Christmas it was plum pudding and on birthdays it was angel food cake.
Nine years after Wed died, she moved to an apartment at Sutton Place where she lived the last six years.
Memories
Kathleen outlived her own family by more than fifty years. She lost many people she was near and dear to during that time: her brothers, sister, parents, child and grandchild. When asked how she dealt with this she said, "I concentrate on the living."
She had an ability to make individuals she met feel special.
Importance of Family
Kathleen had the ability to transcend generations. She was interested in children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also able to keep abreast of what was current. She had a feeling of how important it was to keep family together and build traditions.
Comments from Friends She Made at Sutton Place
"She had a light-hearted way of looking at things."
"She put the best face on everything."
"She was certainly a bright spot around here."
"We expected a perky remark when we'd meet her in the hall."
"She had a sense of humor."
"She was the Leader of Sutton Place - the bright spot around here. She befriended new residents and invited them to have lunch at her table. She wanted to be a participant - a contributor whether she was stuffing envelopes for Presbyterian Homes, making calls on friends at the 'home' who no longer had social opportunities, a helper at the home birthday party, rolling out donuts for the church rummage sale, making carmel rolls or Christmas plum pudding."
Kathleen was also admired for her great ability to develop new friendships. She was a great role model for her family.
