Vera Jean Keck

Vera passed away on April 3, 2018 at the age of 87 at her home in Midvale, Utah.  She was born July 3, 1930 in Boone, Colorado to Walter Robert Shroyer and Veva Marie (Luke) Shroyer. She was the fourth of five siblings. Surviving hardships since birth, she was humbly raised during the depression.  She lost her father at age 8 to tuberculosis and her mother at age 10 to a heart attack.  After her mother's passing, she and her younger sister went to live with her step father in Pueblo, Colorado. He remarried, and Vera endured many long years with a less than loving stepmother.  She was a shy young girl and but took great pride in her vocal accomplishments.  As a member of Triple Trio for Central High School, she sang in many competitions around the State and took home many awards. She was often hired to sing at local events.

She married Maurice Griffin at age 19, having met him at the local roller rink. Soon after 3 children followed, a daughter and two sons. She was an LPN nurse and then began her career as a psychiatric technician for the Colorado State Mental Institution.  Her loving nature showed as she included clients who had no families into her personal family celebrations and later brought two clients home to live with her.

In 1965 she married Clifton Keck and had her fourth child, a daughter. During this time, she was very involved as a union steward for the State Hospital. She was also very involved in the Democratic Party and served as a main Delegate at the Democratic National Convention in 1976.

She spent 67 of her years in Colorado before moving to Utah to be near family in 1997.  She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and enjoyed her faith and fellowship of those she met the rest of her days.

Vera was an excellent seamstress.  She created and amassed a large collection of Halloween costumes which she would rent out for a nominal fee to the families in the neighborhood.  If she didn't have what was desired she would just get to sewing it.  Many families have very happy memories traipsing to Grama Vera's to try on all the costumes each year.

Sometime in the last few years she picked up coloring in adult color books. She colored beautifully and had a keen sense of color composition. Many hours were passed filling in her books and she had a vast array of pencils in every hue.  Coloring gave her much joy and peace.

In the last several years, Vera became unable to drive and spent the majority of her time at home. Never lonely however, for the throngs of friends and neighbors, all considered family, who faithfully stopped by to visit or check on her. She had five actual grandchildren and three great grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart, but there is no counting those who called her Grama. It is hard to say whether she adopted all she met as her grandkids or others adopted her as another grandmother but no matter, because everyone enjoyed her slightly askew sense of humor and unconditional support.

She is survived by her four children. Daughters: Susan (Jeremiah) Rohr and Beth (Grady) Powell, Sons: Cad (Suzanne) Griffin and Doug (Niyme) Griffin. Loved as children: Nephew Robert (Norma) Heintz and Niece Geri Bell. Five grandchildren: Pierson Rohr, Nick (Heather) Graham, Jake Graham, Jay (Veronica) Moyer and Samantha Farmer. Three great grandchildren: Addison Graham and Luke Graham and Molly Farmer.  By marriage she got two more grandchildren: Jena (Justin) Miller and Dylan (Ciara) Powell and a great granddaughter Wisteria Powell.

She has been cremated upon her request and a brief service and a light luncheon will be held in her honor at the LDS Midvale 1st Ward church at 308 W 7500 S, Midvale, UT Saturday April 7th at Noon.