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Patricia and Jo Keller: Volunteer Service and Charitable Bequests

The spirit of self-sacrifice has always been an abundant resource in the hearts of Patricia and Jo Keller. Modest and unassuming, the two sisters were raised to believe that giving should be a way of life, and have lived their lives accordingly. According to family member Jim Forrest, "Their entire life and lifestyle has exemplified their generous spirit. They have always lived to give."

Raised in New York as part of a large and caring family, the two were transplanted to Houston in 1971 when asked to relocate by their employer, Exxon. Later, when the time came to retire, the two were so thoroughly at home in the state that they made the decision to spend their golden years in the Texas Hill Country. Within their first month of arrival in Kerrville, the duo began volunteering at Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital. Says Jo, "We were just continuing with something we had always done. Even in Houston we had always spent spare time helping the community. It was in our blood to volunteer."

Eventually, the two sisters became well known to the hospital staff. Over the years Patty and Jo donated thousands of hours to SPMH and participated in numerous projects integral to the success of the facility. In addition to hours volunteered weekly, Jo recalls, "We assisted in everything from constructing handmade quilts to the collection of aluminum cans along the highway – all to raise money for Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital."

Sadly, the day came when Patty's health no longer allowed her to physically continue as a volunteer. After falling at home and breaking her hip, her health deteriorated, and on September 13, 2009, she passed away. Says Jo, "During those last days, Patty was in and out of the new Peterson Regional Medical Center several times. It was a great relief to me to know she was always receiving the very best of care."

And though Patty had always lived a modest lifestyle, at the time of her passing it became apparent that it had been a lifestyle of deliberate choice, and for the benefit of others. Says Jim Forrest, "Patty set a wonderful example for all of us through her legacy of planned giving, as she had throughout her entire life." As part of that pre-arrangement, Patty had been determined to make a difference in behalf of the Peterson Regional Medical Center and did so with a generous charitable bequest.

Jo intends to follow in her sister's footsteps, stating, "Some hesitancy regarding such end-of-life matters is understandable but I've already made my will, and my plans to contribute. When it comes to Peterson Regional Medical Center, Patty and I always considered our time and money to be well spent. We always understood that it would take continuing support to keep everything in the new hospital in the very best condition and operating at 100%. Patty wanted to be part of that accomplishment going forward." At Patty's funeral, family friend and spiritual advisor Monsignor Michael Boulette paid tribute to that giving spirit and to the very essence of her character when he stated in homily, "Patty lived her life simply, so that others could live."


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