Theodora Keith

August 16, 1951 - October 3, 2019

Theodora “Teddy” Keith, age 68 of Traverse City, Michigan died at her favorite flower filled sanctuary, her home on Bellows Lake, on October 3rd, 2019. She was surrounded by her family and friends as she made the next step in her life, after a courageous battle with cancer. Teddy was a woman of strength and determination in all that she tackled during her life, in return cancer received from her, the same. She will be greatly missed. Teddy’s life was filled with numerous joys. The joy of raising her son Travis and her nephew Eddy Beyne, after the death of his father. The joy of spending 30 years with her husband Tom Keith at their home on Bellows Lake, where endless hours were spent on the lake, tending her numerous gardens, and swimming with her grandsons. The passionate joy of her career in nursing which included Munson Hospital Surgical Center, Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital and Great Lakes Community Mental Health. Many individuals were impacted by Teddy because of her influence, monitoring, and guiding them through their lives. Her joy of reading, she was a voracious reader. Her routine included a weekly trip to the library, returning with four or five books at a time. Another joy, but not the least, were Teddy and Tom’s travels across the United States in their RV. After all of their traveling, they picked Dauphin Island off the mouth of Mobile Bay. They spent the last six years wintering there, making many wonderful lifetime friends. Teddy is survived by her husband Tom Keith; son Travis Cosens; nephew Eddy Beyne; stepson Troy (Kirsten) Keith; brother Russell (Maxine); sisters Elizabeth (Arthur) Bartlett; Melinda (Walter) Spencley; grandsons Toren Keith and Dylan Keith; nieces and nephews. Teddy was preceded in death by her parents Russell and Iva Mae Beyne; brother Jon Beyne and her beloved dogs, Chester, Muggs, Spuds and Buddy. A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 1PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1050 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686. Teddy’s wish for any contributions is to ask that you “pay it forward” to help in any fashion you choose. Teddy and her family are being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com