Marguerite Hubbard Keller, age 99, passed away on Jan. 13, 1997 in Ogden, Utah.
She was born November 24, 1897 in Willard, utah, to David Clark Hubbard and Charlotte Elizabeth Morgan. Marguerite was the last survivor of eleven children. Her father, a farmer and educator in Box Elder County, served in the Utah Territorial Legislature and as superintendent of the Box Elder School District. She fondly remembered her father as a storyteller of the classics which established her later interest in English and literature. She enriched her family with stories of life in early Utah during the first decades of this century. One memorable story was her rendition of her baptism in the Willard Utah millpond, when she was eight years of age. After the death of her father in 1908 from an acute infectious disease, the large family struggled to maintain their farm. She was forced to delay high school for a year to nurse a sister who had multiple sclerosis. Upon graduation, she taught in the Box Elder School District, and late borrowed money to attend the University of Utah, where she received her B.A. degree in English. After graduation, she taught English at the Ogden High School until her marriage to Dr. VerNon Seth Keller in 1929. While living in Chicago she received a Masters Degree from Northwestern University. She was active in the Rogers Park Women's Club, where she enjoyed giving literary reviews. Her husband's dental practice in Chicago, Illinois was interrupted by this illness, which resulted in his premature death in 1942. Upon returning to Utah, Marguerite resumed her teaching career as the family bread-winner and continued to teach until her retirement in 1967. Marguerite loved her students and her many friends. She committed her life to her teaching profession and to the many organizations which provided the social life which she enjoyed. Marguerite served as president of th Utah Chapter of the American Association of University Women, The University Club, and the Altruist Club. She was a member of the Modern Literature Club, Delta Kappa Gamma (the honorary teachers organization), N.E.A. and its local chapters, the Retired Teachers of Ogden City Schools and the Republican Women's Club. She was an active member of the Highland Ward of the LDS Church, where she greatly enjoyed the friendships the ward provided her. Marguerite went through the LDS Temple in 1995 and was supported in this by her cherished friends of the Highland Ward.Because of her keen intellect, long life, and her commitment to the teaching of literature, she has left an indelible impression upon generations of students and also upon her family.
Marguerite is survived by a son, Dr. Richard Hubbard Keller (JoAnn), and grandchildren, Dr. David Richard Keller (Dr. Anina Merrill), Peter Hubbard Keller, and Christena Keller Ensign (Michael).
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 18, 1997, 11 a.m. at Leavitt's Chapel of Flowers Mortuary, 836 36th Street, where friends may call one hour prior to services. Interment, Willard City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the McKay Dee Foundation, 3939 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, UT 84403 or to the Weber County Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave, Ogden, UT 84401.
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