Sally L. Blakeslee (Keefe)

Sally was a follower of Christ and showed her love for him in all she did. Born in Jamestown, N.Y., on July 29, 1939, the daughter of Donald E. Keefe Sr. and Virginia M. Keefe.

Sally graduated from Chautauqua School in 1957. She eloped and married Vermont Blakeslee on Oct. 25, 1957. Sally worked at Weise Hardware and Chautauqua County BOCES and discovered that she loved working with handicapped children. She was a member of Panama Baptist Church for over 50 years and served as a youth group leader, Sunday school teacher, Bible study teacher and AWANA leader.

Sally loved her husband, family and friends (both in New York and Florida) and enjoyed sharing her life with them.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Vermont W. Blakeslee. Sally is also survived by two sons: Dene (Pamela) Blakeslee of Ashville, N.Y., and David (Amy) Blakeslee of Cumming, Ga.; two daughters: Holly (Mike) Clark, Panama, N.Y., and Amanda Durnell of Kalamazoo, Mich.; three sisters: Vicki Acquisto of Stow, N.Y., Sue Nelson of Commercial Point, Ohio, and Sherry Fitzgerald of Englewood, Fla.; two brothers: Donald Keefe of Stedman, N.Y., and Tim Keefe of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 14 grandchildren: Nathan Blakeslee, Aaron Blakeslee, Evan Blakeslee, Megan Blakeslee, Jacob Clark, Caleb Clark, Ryan Kuenzi, Richele Walston, Virginia Blakeslee, Avery Blakeslee, Ben Blakeslee, Collin Durnell, Allisandria Durnell and Jadon Durnell; six great-grandchildren: Madeline Kuenzi, Clara Kuenzi, Henry Kuenzi, Liam Walston, Sophie Walston, Sadie Walston; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins!

Sally is predeceased by her parents and a daughter, Amy Kuenzi.

The family would like you to join them in a celebration of Sally’s life at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Panama Baptist Church in Panama, N.Y., with Randy Nelson (Sally’s brother-in-law) officiating. The family will receive friends and guests at Panama Baptist Church between 10-11 a.m. immediately prior to the celebration service.

Contributions may be made to the Panama Baptist Church, P.O. Box 188, 21 North St., Panama, NY 14767, or Tidewell Hospice at 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238 (941-552-7597).