Mary Ewudzi-Keel

MARY ETTA KEEL HARRIS EWUDZI

77, of Denver, CO. Mary was born July 1, 1927 in Denver and was called home Tuesday morning, May 24, 2005. Mary graduated from Manual High School, Denver and attended, Los Angeles City College, and Occidental College in California. She was a retired Social Worker from the Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services. In addition to her work with Social Services, Mary ended her working career as an investigator for Los Angeles's District office in the child support division. Upon retirement, she began to pursue her greatest ambition in life, writing. To quote Mary, "I enjoyed writing, it taught me to seek knowledge. In doing so, I had the opportunity to pen my memories by joining the San Fernando Valley, California Jack London Writers Association. There she published non-fiction in three of the annual writers anthologies." She won a writer competition through joining of a writers group at Borders Books in Glendale, CA. Her grandfather was the subject of that writing.

Mary had the opportunity to travel the world and share her experiences with her family through her writings and videos. Annual and bi-annual travels to West Africa, Egypt, Sequoia, California and Colorado Mountains, Europe and trips to visit family and historical sites kept her young. At around 68 years of age she began taking tennis lessons in Glendale, CA and amazed the young. She loved to hike and walk. She cherished her walking companion Silver, her dog. They shared many walks in the park, and around the neighborhood.

Even in her seventies Mary exhibited her energy and zest for living. She loved tennis especially watching Venus and Serena Williams. She also loved her art, and good food. For all of her family, she was a wealth of knowledge, preserver of Keel family history, and an educator for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

After living in Los Angeles for more than 40 years, Mary sold her home in Glendale and moved to Sacramento California where she lived for two years prior to returning to Denver to be near her son.

Even during her illness she continued to be active and shared her experience with other seniors. While residing at the Clyburn Senior Citizens Apartments, she organized the Black History Celebration, potlucks, and other activities.

Mary was the daughter of the late Sherman S. Keel and Mabel Maxwell Keel. She shared the love of her parents with 11 brothers and sisters. Preceding her in death her sisters: Sarah Keel Boone Kerner and Charlotte Keel Phillips; her brothers: Richard L. Keel and Vernon E. Keel Sr. God blessed Mary with three sons. Her sons Milton Richard Harris Jr. and Maxwell Royce Harris, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her son Martin Harris Sr.; daughter-in-law Linda Harris and husband Samuel Ewudzi of Ghana Africa, 2 sisters: Mabel Sherma Keel-Porter of Los Angeles, CA; Margaret Keel-Mack of Sacramento, CA., 3 brothers: Donald A. Keel of Los Angeles, CA, William H. Keel, and Joseph F. (Jennifer) Keel both of Denver. Mary is survived by her 4 grandchildren: Chris, Kyla, Durelle, and Martin Jr. of California, 5 great-grandchildren all of California, and over 90 nieces and nephews.

With the loss of her two sons, her grand daughter Kerstin Harris and throughout her illness, Mary showed strength of character and an acceptance of God's will.