| Blanche H. Keller |
Friday, September 4, 2009
Blanche H. Keller, 68, who served on the Gaithersburg City Council and previously was an influential member of the city's planning
commission, died Aug. 9 of colon cancer at Casey House hospice in Rockville.
Ms. Keller, who was a 40-year employee of the U.S. Public Health Service, moved to Gaithersburg 27 years ago and became involved in
local civic affairs. She joined the city's planning commission in 1986 and was chairwoman of it from 2001 to 2004. She was instrumental in
developing plans for the Kentlands and Lakelands housing developments and the Washingtonian Center shopping mall.
She served on the City Council in 2004 and 2005 and was a member of the city's Senior Council and the Montgomery County Commission
on Aging. She was known for her advocacy of affordable housing for senior citizens and other issues affecting the elderly. She also sought
to increase the number of police officers in Gaithersburg.
"During the many years that we worked together, I believe we all were constantly impressed with her thoughtful and creative approach to
planning and admired her unbridled enthusiasm for public service," Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz said in a statement.
Blanche Hyatt Keller was born in Washington and was a graduate of Roosevelt High School and George Washington University. She lived in
the District before moving to Gaithersburg.
She held a variety of administrative positions at the Health Service during her professional career. In the 1970s, she worked on a health
program for migrant workers. And in the 1980s and 1990s, she helped administer the National Health Service Corps program. She retired in
2003 as deputy director of the Division of Scholarships and Loan Repayment.
In recent years, Ms. Keller became an award-winning oil painter. She took classes at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn and exhibited her work at
the Kentlands Mansion and state capitol in Annapolis.
Survivors include a sister, Beverly Thomas of Silver Spring; and two brothers, John E. Keller II of Silver Spring and Gilliam S. Keller of
Clarksburg.
-- Matt Schudel
Blanche H. Keller, 68, who served on the Gaithersburg City Council and previously was an influential member of the city's planning
commission, died Aug. 9 of colon cancer at Casey House hospice in Rockville.
Ms. Keller, who was a 40-year employee of the U.S. Public Health Service, moved to Gaithersburg 27 years ago and became involved in
local civic affairs. She joined the city's planning commission in 1986 and was chairwoman of it from 2001 to 2004. She was instrumental in
developing plans for the Kentlands and Lakelands housing developments and the Washingtonian Center shopping mall.
She served on the City Council in 2004 and 2005 and was a member of the city's Senior Council and the Montgomery County Commission
on Aging. She was known for her advocacy of affordable housing for senior citizens and other issues affecting the elderly. She also sought
to increase the number of police officers in Gaithersburg.
"During the many years that we worked together, I believe we all were constantly impressed with her thoughtful and creative approach to
planning and admired her unbridled enthusiasm for public service," Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz said in a statement.
Blanche Hyatt Keller was born in Washington and was a graduate of Roosevelt High School and George Washington University. She lived in
the District before moving to Gaithersburg.
She held a variety of administrative positions at the Health Service during her professional career. In the 1970s, she worked on a health
program for migrant workers. And in the 1980s and 1990s, she helped administer the National Health Service Corps program. She retired in
2003 as deputy director of the Division of Scholarships and Loan Repayment.
In recent years, Ms. Keller became an award-winning oil painter. She took classes at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn and exhibited her work at
the Kentlands Mansion and state capitol in Annapolis.
Survivors include a sister, Beverly Thomas of Silver Spring; and two brothers, John E. Keller II of Silver Spring and Gilliam S. Keller of
Clarksburg.
-- Matt Schudel