Obituary – Katharine Haley Keeley

PALOS VERDES, Calif. — Katharine Haley Keeley, Palos Verdes, Calif., formerly of Hartington, died Jan. 6, 2008, at her home in Palos Verdes.
A memorial Mass was offered for Katharine Jan. 12 at the Daughters of Mary and Joseph Chapel, Palos Verdes, Calif.
Katharine was born and raised in Hartington, the daughter of longtime Hartington residents, Lucile J. and Clarence E. Haley.  After graduating from Duchesne College, Omaha, she was the school’s development director before becoming a director of the Campfire Girls organization, Omaha. She moved to California, earning her MAT at Lone Mountain College, San Francisco, Calif., and taught in the San Francisco public schools for several years.

Katharine married Dennis Keeley, an attorney at law, in 1965.  The couple resided in Los Angeles until her death.
She was a dedicated member of her community and an active volunteer in many organizations.  She was also co-founder of Conference Concepts, a company specializing in planning and onsite management of corporate retreats, and at one time served as chairperson of the Palos Verdes Art Center’s Business Council.
She was one of only four women in 83 years to be elected to the Palos Verdes Golf Club’s board of directors and also served on the Women’s Board as treasurer.  An avid golfer, she was often a tournament winner, claiming the President’s Cup twice.
She is survived by her husband and their beloved dog, Pei.
Family present at the Mass included her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Ed Schlachter, Hastings; her brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Paulette Jo Haley, Norfolk; sister-in-law, Catherine Keeley, Alexandria, Va.; and nieces and nephews, Anne Katharine Schlachter, Omaha; Erin Haley-Shandera, Roca; Elizabeth Keeley, Boston, Mass.; Martha Keeley, Ipswich, Mass.; Emily Siegrist, Davidsonville, Md.; Stephen Schlachter, Boulder, Colo.; John Schlachter, Houston, Texas; Mark Schlachter, Washingtonm D.C.; Tom Keeley,  Beverly, Mass.; Paul Schlachter, Seattle,Wash.; and Matthew Schlachter, Hastings; and numerous friends.
Memorials may be directed to Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, or the Hartington Public School Education Foundation.