Obituary of Elsie Louise Keefe

Elsie Louise (Strock) Keefe was born to Charlotte and Arthur Strock of Pierpont, OH on July 5, 1938. She was called home to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on February 14, 2023. Elsie was preceded in death by: her father, mother, and her younger brother, Arthur Wallace (Wally) Strock. She is survived by: two brothers, Edward (Sonny) Strock of Ashtabula, OH and Julius (Butch) Strock of Efland, NC; and her children Joseph Keefe (Becky) of Ashtabula, OH, Joyce Cala (Leo) of Rock Creek, OH, Sean Keefe (Caroline) of Vienna, WV, Denise Morrison (Steve) of Vass, NC, Charla Hintz (Joe) of Medina, OH and Kasandra (Kandi) Wolf (Brian) of Chagrin Falls, OH. She is also survived by eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Elsie’s picture adorned Pierpont Elementary School’s wall as a 1956 graduate of the then first through twelfth grade community school. Elsie began her adventures as an adult in the United States Marine Corps. Upon marrying a fellow Marine two ranks above her own, she was honorably discharged in 1958. Thus began her new adventure as a military wife. Over the next eleven years, Elsie gave birth to six children and managed a madhouse of four girls and two boys while her husband fought in Vietnam and traveled the world in service to our country. Elsie never forgot where she came from. When her pick-up-and-move style of military life ended in 1975, the family settled down and made a home back in the pastoral confines of Pierpont, OH. Moms don’t always get the credit they deserve. The list of duties Mom performed was endless; caretaker, cheerleader, taxi driver, counselor, teacher, babysitter, motivator, shoulder to cry on, or whatever else she recognized as a need in her children. We were lucky. Mom was the shelter we sought when the storms of life were raging. Mom taught us about God, love, family, relationships, responsibility, community, competition, and morals. As a member of Pierpont Presbyterian Church, Elsie’s life was grounded in these principles, and these are the principles she ingrained upon the hearts of her children and grandchildren. Competition was one of the passions our mother passed on to her children and grandchildren through countless hours of trivia and board games. She loved to teach and abhorred losing. Her passion for competition was put on display late in life. Mom loved to play cards. Whether in Las Vegas with strangers, at a kitchen table with her children, or in a quiet room with serious players turned friends, mom loved tournament poker. Thankfully, she got to play competitive cards well into her 84th year. She didn’t always win, but boy did she have fun. In life, Elsie won a great deal. A journey filled with love, life, and laughter sure sounds like a winning hand. Elsie Louise Keefe loved God, her family, and her country. Those who knew her will miss her greatly. She will forever be our Valentine. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 12PM at the Pierpont Presbyterian Church,71 OH-7. Friends may call on Saturday from 11AM until the time of service at 12PM. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Pierpont. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 12PM at the Pierpont Presbyterian Church,71 OH-7. Friends may call on Saturday from 11AM until the time of service at 12PM. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Pierpont. Childs-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 1071 OH-7, Pierpont, OH 44082, is assisting the family with final arrangements. www.ducro.com