Barbara Louise (Norrad) Keezer

AUGUSTA – We said a sad goodbye to our loving mom and wife, Barbara Louise (Norrad) Keezer on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. Barbara passed away after a 30-plus year battle with Parkinson’s disease. She died peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family, which was by far her greatest achievement.

Barbara was born on August 28, 1939, in Portland, to Arthur Norrad and Louise (Tripp) Norrad. She was raised in Saco and was a 1957 graduate of Thornton Academy where she met her loving husband and high school sweetheart, Gordon Keezer. They were married on June 20, 1958 and enjoyed 63 years of marriage.

After graduation from Thornton Academy Barbara attended IBM training in Portland where she trained to become a Key Punch Operator. She took these skills to CMP where she worked for a short time before relocating to Orono while her husband attended college. While in Orono she worked at Easten Pulp and Paper in their computer department until relocating to Augusta, where she became employed by CMP, Key Bank and finally the State of Maine in the mid ’70s, where she worked for multiple divisions for 20-plus years until her retirement in 1999.

Gordon and Barbara raised their four children in Augusta. As a family, they spent weekends and vacations traveling the State of Maine, the country, and Canada in their family camper. A number of trips were following her boys and grandchildren in various sporting events. Notably their oldest son, Jeff, when he and his little league team competed and played in the Little League World Series in 1971. Barbara was an active mom who always made every activity perfect. Whether it was camping, hiking, traveling, snowmobiling or visiting her family and friends in Saco. She also planned many events that included her children’s friends who came to refer to her as “Mrs. Keez” or “Momma Keez”. She was loved by all and made sure that any friend in need was cared for.

Their love of traveling continued after her retirement in 1999, when her and her husband purchased a motor home and explored the United States and Canada including a trip to Alaska. Through their retirement they logged over 150,000 miles and wore out two motorhomes. Their later years were spent wintering in Florida where they met numerous friends.

She is predeceased by her parents Arthur and Louise Norrad; her in-laws Richard and Mae Keezer; and her three brothers-in-law, Dick Sotir, Malcolm Graffam and Ben Munford.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 63 years, Gordon Keezer and their four children, their spouses and grandchildren. Jeff and Beth Keezer of Biddeford Pool and their children Lindsay and her partner Andrew Collins and Alisha Keezer; Tammy and Ken Thomas of Portland and children Alli and Noah Thomas; Gary and Kim Keezer of Vassalboro and their children Kevin and his wife Erica, Brandon and Garrett and Brian Keezer and his partner Erin Dunning of Winthrop and Brian’s children, Kyle, Chase and Nick. She is also survived by her two best friends and sisters, Betty Munford from Charleston, S.C. and Patty Graffam from Saco as well as her sister-in-law, Shirley Sotir of Saco. Barbara loved and cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchild, Olivia Collins, who brightened her life and has twin great-grandchildren arriving in July to Kevin and Erica. She also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who she adored. Her family was by far most important to her.

The family would like to thank the caretakers from MaineGeneral Hospice, especially Emily, who provided wonderful care. Also, Brittany and Melissa from C&M Family Home Health Care who my mom grew to love and have become part of the family.

Relatives and friends may visit on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta where a funeral service will take place Friday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the spring in Wall Cemetery.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations are made in Barbara’s memory to: Maine Parkinson’s Association at maineparkinsonsociety.org or Donate in Tribute to the Michael J Fox Foundation at michaeljfox.org.