Miriam Ulbrick Bradstreet Keller

PALERMO – It is with profound sorrow that the family of Miriam Althea Keller, 79, of Palermo, announce she went to be with her Heavenly Father on Dec. 21, 2025. She passed peacefully at Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta with her devoted husband, Dennis, at her side. Miriam will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, MeeMee and friend; leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, kindness and warmth that brightened every day.

Born in Vassalboro, Maine, on Jan. 21, 1946, Miriam was raised in Palermo. She attended Erskine Academy in China where she was involved in many clubs and activities, graduating in 1946. Following high school, Miriam attended the University of Maine at Orono, graduating with a degree in Animal Husbandry, with a minor in Sociology.

In 1964, Miriam met the man who would become the love of her life, Dennis Robert, while he was home on leave from the US Air Force. Marrying on August 6, 1966, the happy couple spent a few years living around the world: making memories and adopting, first, a beloved son, Matthew Shane, and a couple years later, a much loved daughter, Misty Althea. Upon retirement from the military, the family moved back to Palermo, settling, first in a home on Sheepscot Lake and later, as ‘empty nesters’ they moved to a home on Branch Pond, overlooking the special spot which they called ‘First Date Island’ where Miriam and Dennis had had their first date many years before.

Miriam lived her life in service to others as an Adoption Social Worker for the states of Nebraska and Maine, as well as through her involvement in many organizations in Palermo, the small town she loved. This involvement extended to Palermo Days, the Palermo Historical Society (to which she donated her childhood home, the Worthing House) and she was a Deaconess of Palermo Christian Church. Miriam was also well known for her love of animals, especially cats, and many a stray found their way into her heart. In 1987, Miriam received the ‘Spirit of America’ Award for her years of volunteer work.

Miriam was predeceased by her parents, Clair and Freda Bradstreet; in-laws, Herbert and Ferne Keller; brothers, Eben Bradstreet and Carl Ulbrich; sisters-in-law, Hazel McCaslin, Nancy Saban, Hilda Randall, Karen Bradstreet, Sandra Strahan and Marjorie Ulbrich; and brothers-in-law, Donnie Keller, Bernard Saban, Sheldon Thompson, David McCaslin and Les Randall.

Miriam is survived by a large and loving family including her loved husband of 59 years, Dennis Keller; son, Matthew Keller and his fiancé, Susan Jackson, of Knoxville, Tenn.; daughter, Misty Keller of Palermo; grandchildren, Dustin and Meagan Keller of Japan, Shayne Keller and girlfriend Kaitlynn Ramsdell of Palermo, Hayden and Jacob Little of Palermo; and great-grandchildren, Hanaki (Flower) Keller of Japan and Paisley Ramsdell of Palermo. Also surviving Miriam are her brothers, Clair “Chip” Bradstreet of Florida, Paul Ulbrich of Illinois and Harley Ulbrich of Michigan. Miriam also leaves behind a few other special people in her life including her former son-in-law, Sidney Little of China and her former daughter-in-law, Yumie Keller of Japan, sister-in-law, Linda Thompson of Illinois, brother-in-law, Paul Keller and his wife Sandy of China; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The Keller Family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta and their amazing staff on the Liberty Charlie Wing. Miriam and her family were truly blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful caring and compassionate group of people during her stay. Bless you all!

A celebration of Miriam’s life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Palermo Christian Church, 322 Branch Mills Rd, Palermo.

At Miriam’s request,

memorial donations can

be made to:

the Kennebec Valley Humane Society

168 Leighton Rd.

Augusta ME 04330

or online at

pethavenlane.org/donate