Obituary for Anne Keffer
Sister Elizabeth Anne Keffer
October 8, 1940 – February 1, 2023
Sister Anne’s faith in a loving and compassionate God, and her identity as a Lutheran deaconess in ministry, meant everything to her. She was a relentless supporter of diaconal ministry in Canada, and a strong voice from within the church witnessing to the integrity of this special rostered ministry.
Sr. Anne has served in a variety of ministries in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Chicago. She directed the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism in Saskatoon before she was called by the Deaconess Community (both the USA and Canada) to be its directing deaconess.
Sr. Anne had decades of experience in spiritual direction and Christian education. She held an M.Ed in Counselling from the University of Western Ontario and completed a nine month residency in Spiritual Direction at Loyola Retreat Centre, Guelph which “changed my life”.
Sr. Anne graduated with a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from the Graduate Theological Foundation, Indiana. And yet, when anyone tried to call her Dr. Keffer she would laugh and remind them that the name closest to her heart was “Sister Anne.”
Sr. Anne loved God and she loved people. Her passion was to accompany groups, or individuals, on their unique paths of spiritual growth, always using humour for community building and deepening one’s relationship with God.
Sr. Anne was a strong advocate for the integrity of relationships between First Nations and settler communities. She especially valued the Healing Circle of women. Towards the end of her life she came to understand that her next Healing Circle would be with her Creator.
Among her many passions, Sr. Anne loved to garden, walk, do Tai Chi, play bridge and sing in Inshallah, Waterloo’s global music choir. Up to the end of her life she could be found sitting in the sun with her latest book interest. Especially beloved by Sr. Anne was her Yorkshire terrier, Libby.
Family was very important to Sr. Anne: parents Rev. Norman and Irene Keffer (deceased); sister Millie (Stuart, deceased) Rhem; nieces Susan Rhem, Kathy (Michael) Faragalli, Carol (Rob) Chester, and Norman (Nancy) Rhem. She showered love on her grandnieces and nephews: Joe Faragalli, Phillip Faragalli, Theresa Konan, Laura Faragalli, Jessica O’Donoghue, Bryan Chester; and on her nine great-great nieces and nephews.
Sr. Anne Keffer was anointed with oil and the baptismal promise that death does not have the last word on February 1, 2023. At the time of her death, she was embraced by people who loved her.
A service of thanksgiving for the life of Sr. Anne Keffer will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hamburg on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 11:00 am. The service will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/Trinity.New.Hamburg/live_videos/.
In memory of Sr. Anne’s life donations can be made to the outreach ministries that she loved though Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg. Donations can be sent directly to Trinity Lutheran Church, or on their website (www.telc.ca); or through Mark Jutzi Funeral Home website (www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca).
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, New Hamburg.
Lord, now let your servant go in peace. May light perpetual shine upon her.
October 8, 1940 – February 1, 2023
Sister Anne’s faith in a loving and compassionate God, and her identity as a Lutheran deaconess in ministry, meant everything to her. She was a relentless supporter of diaconal ministry in Canada, and a strong voice from within the church witnessing to the integrity of this special rostered ministry.
Sr. Anne has served in a variety of ministries in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Chicago. She directed the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism in Saskatoon before she was called by the Deaconess Community (both the USA and Canada) to be its directing deaconess.
Sr. Anne had decades of experience in spiritual direction and Christian education. She held an M.Ed in Counselling from the University of Western Ontario and completed a nine month residency in Spiritual Direction at Loyola Retreat Centre, Guelph which “changed my life”.
Sr. Anne graduated with a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from the Graduate Theological Foundation, Indiana. And yet, when anyone tried to call her Dr. Keffer she would laugh and remind them that the name closest to her heart was “Sister Anne.”
Sr. Anne loved God and she loved people. Her passion was to accompany groups, or individuals, on their unique paths of spiritual growth, always using humour for community building and deepening one’s relationship with God.
Sr. Anne was a strong advocate for the integrity of relationships between First Nations and settler communities. She especially valued the Healing Circle of women. Towards the end of her life she came to understand that her next Healing Circle would be with her Creator.
Among her many passions, Sr. Anne loved to garden, walk, do Tai Chi, play bridge and sing in Inshallah, Waterloo’s global music choir. Up to the end of her life she could be found sitting in the sun with her latest book interest. Especially beloved by Sr. Anne was her Yorkshire terrier, Libby.
Family was very important to Sr. Anne: parents Rev. Norman and Irene Keffer (deceased); sister Millie (Stuart, deceased) Rhem; nieces Susan Rhem, Kathy (Michael) Faragalli, Carol (Rob) Chester, and Norman (Nancy) Rhem. She showered love on her grandnieces and nephews: Joe Faragalli, Phillip Faragalli, Theresa Konan, Laura Faragalli, Jessica O’Donoghue, Bryan Chester; and on her nine great-great nieces and nephews.
Sr. Anne Keffer was anointed with oil and the baptismal promise that death does not have the last word on February 1, 2023. At the time of her death, she was embraced by people who loved her.
A service of thanksgiving for the life of Sr. Anne Keffer will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hamburg on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 11:00 am. The service will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/Trinity.New.Hamburg/live_videos/.
In memory of Sr. Anne’s life donations can be made to the outreach ministries that she loved though Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg. Donations can be sent directly to Trinity Lutheran Church, or on their website (www.telc.ca); or through Mark Jutzi Funeral Home website (www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca).
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, New Hamburg.
Lord, now let your servant go in peace. May light perpetual shine upon her.