Sarah Theresa Tracey-Keel
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On August 22, 2020 @ 10:13 am In 2020,Obituaries | 23 Comments
Sarah Tracey-Keel passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, August 20. She was surrounded by sunshine, flowers, family, and a half-eaten plate of Irish scones.
Private family services will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Friends and extended family are invited to stream the service at the following link: Sarah Tracey-Keel Service. Following Mass, Sarah will be laid to rest at Credit River Cemetery in Prior Lake.
Sarah was born in County Carlow, Ireland on December 4th, 1929. After a pristine primary school attendance record that remains legendary today, she earned her nursing degree at the Royal Academy in London. She cared for patients across Europe and the Middle East before coming to the States to further her work at the Mayo Clinic.
It was in Minnesota that she met Bert, and it was in Minnesota that the two put down roots that would grow deep, wide, and strong. Sarah accomplished much in her nearly 91 years. She fed hundreds at food shelves and cared for thousands at clinics across three continents. She was twice crowned World Champion in indoor rowing. She made more pasta than Chef Boyardee. She brushed away cancer and a host of other ailments with her standard refrain, “oh, this too shall pass. How are you doing?” Sarah engendered impossibly consistent comments from all who entered her orbit – “she’s one of the kindest and most beautiful people we’ve ever met.”
Across her many passions, without question her greatest love was her family. She worked nights so she could walk us to the morning bus. She never missed one of our meets, or matches, or games. She took every opportunity, however small to her but huge to us, to show her support. If a dispute arose concerning one of her cubs, you didn’t want to be on the other side. She had a mystical sense of her children’s and then her grandchildren’s pain. In early years, it would be a touch on the shoulder and a gentle word. Later, the doorbell would chime or the telephone ring and Irish soda bread would soon follow. To this day, we still don’t know how she always knew.
Sarah was warmly greeted in Heaven by her parents, Matt & Elizabeth Tracey; her son Gregory; her sisters Mary Dwane, Cathy Whelan and Josie Fenelon; and her brothers Ned, John, Tom, Luke, Jim and Matt. She will be held always in the hearts of her husband of 60 years, Bert; her children, Karl (Mary), Sean (Michelle Moore), Fiona, Markus (Janet), Paul (Suzanne), Sioḃán (Joseph Marquez); and grandchildren Emma, Peter, Rose, Luke, Taidhgin, Aine, Kieran, Deaglan, Bridget, and Ronan.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Franciscan Brothers of Peace. Sarah would appreciate that.
Offer Condolence for the family of Sarah Theresa Tracey-Keel
Print Obituary & Condolences Condolences for the family of “Sarah Theresa Tracey-Keel”
She was a wonderful friend to my parents and will be remembered by our entire family. I was fortunate to have known her and I know she will be missed.
Sincere sympathy to Beat Fiona Karl Sean Mark Paul and Siobhan on the passing of your dear husband and mother Sarah May her gentle soul Rest in Peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Very sorry to hear of Aunt Sarah passing. Condolences to Beat and all the Keel family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time.
Ar dheis de go raibh a hanam dilis.
This is such sad news to receive, and I extend my deepest sympathy to all the Keels. I always admired Sarah so much, as a mother, a woman, and a friend. She meant so much to us growing up…she was the aunt we never had here in the states to celebrate with us and share special moments. I will cherish the memories of her warm smile, hearty laugh and positive outlook on life. I can imagine the happy reunion in heaven with all her family and friends who made the journey before her. She will be with us always in our hearts and memories., and you will all be in my prayers as you learn how to cope with this huge loss to your family.
With sympathy and prayers Bert and the whole Keel family. Jim and Sharon (Boegeman) Strandemo
Sincere sympathy to you all at this very sad time .
Sincere sympathy to Beat and all the family Thinking of you all at this sad time May Aunt Sarah rest in peace
Our sincere condolences go out to the Keel family. She was a wonderful lady with a great laugh. We were blessed to have many visits with her and Bert.
My sincere heart felt condolences to your family. I know all of you through Sioban’s wonderful stories. Her Mother had to be very special to have brought into the world such a wonderful person. I am so sorry for your loss.
I loved Mrs Keel. She treated me like her own son and was always more interested in how I was doing than in any concern I might have over her health. One of the happiest days of my life was being present in her hospital room when she came to from being unconscious for a few days. I think mine was the first face she saw as the fog lifted and her smile upon seeing me was incredibly heartwarming and an immense relief to everyone knowing she was back with us. We were so glad we got to have Sarah back in our lives again after some real uncertainty. I miss you. I am so sorry for all my Keel in-laws and for Papa Bert to not be able to throw you arms around her and feel her love and kindness.
I’m very saddened to hear of the passing of my dear cousin Sarah and send sincere sympathy to Beat, Fiona and all the family. May she rest in peace. During our childhood, I spent many happy summers in her company, in Coolasnaughta. We regularly walked together to Mass in Drumphea Church, literally ‘through the fields’. There are so many treasured memories! Suaimhneas síoraí dí i gcuideachta an Tiarna.
Bride (& Michael Twomey)
Doug and I are so sorry to learn about your mothers death. I know she will be greatly missed. You and all your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry hear of Aunt Sarah’s death. I will remember fondly her visit to Bagenalstown in the early 2000’s . My deepest sympathies to all of the family.
Keel Family,
She was a truly amazing mother and person. We are very sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by each other and by the many wonderful memories you share during this time of grief. Her spirit lives on in all of you. God bless you and her as she journeys to heaven.
Love, Mark & Martha Allen
Sincere sympathy to Bert and all the Keel family on the very sad loss of Aunt Sarah.
Joan Treacy Gibson and family
Carlow, Ireland.
She was indeed one of the kindest and beautiful people we have known. We always looked forward to spending time with her and Bert. Bless her and her amazing family.
Our deepest sympathy to Bert and the Keel family for the loss of Sara. She was a wonderful lady
and will be missed by all of us. Out thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Greg & Grace Tillotson
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Keel family during this difficult time. I have so many fond memories of time spent with all of you when I was a child. Sarah was a surrogate Aunt to our family and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have her in my life. I will forever be grateful for the gift of her strength, love, compassion and support.
Sincere sympathies to Beat and all the family on the passing of Sarah RIP from Mona and all the Traceys Coolasnaughta
Dear Bert and Family,
My deepest condolences to you as you mourn the passing of Sarah. She was always such a wonderful neighbor — so welcoming and friendly. You are blessed to have had such a caring, tender, and accomplished wife and mother.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24
I pray that you find peace and comfort that Sarah is now eternally united with Christ through His conquering of death by the power of His resurrection.
Michael Harms
Bert and Keel Family,
Our sincere condolences to you, and the whole Keel family – Karl, Sean, Fiona, Mark, Paul, and Sioḃán, and all of their families. Sarah was a wonderful woman, mother, and neighbor. It was a gift and a blessing to have known her, all these years. May she rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers to you all.
–Patrick & Mary Dupont
Lieber Beat, Liebe Familie Keel
wir haben die Todesnachricht von Sara über Patrick keel erhalten.
wir möchten dir lieber Beat und der Familie Keel ganz herzlich kondulieren.
Sara konnten wir anlässlich von Besuchen in Heerbrugg und näher bei uns in Niederglatt kennen lernen.
Sara war auch für uns eine sehr liebenswerte einfühlsame Person.
anlässlich einer Irlandreise hatten wir ihren Bruder John besucht und erlebten die irische Gastfreunschaft.
wir werden Sara ein ehrendes und aufrichtiges Andenken bewahren.
und dir lieber Beat wünschen wir viel Kraft und Zuversicht
mit lieben Grüssen Josef u.Helen
Click here to print.
Article printed from Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
URL to article: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com/sarah-theresa-tracey-keel/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2015 Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation. All rights reserved.
Saddened by the loss of a lovely woman. Our “aunt” and friend. All of you will be in my prayers. Grateful that she is at peace and whole again. With love, Pat Vaughan