Obituary of Sally L. Blakeslee

Sally L. Blakeslee (Keefe) 78, of Panama, New York and Arcadia, Florida, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 4, 2017. Sally was a follower of Christ and showed her love for him in all she did. Born in Jamestown, NY 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 October 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, NY and David (Amy) Blakeslee of Cumming, Georgia; two daughters: Holly (Mike) Clark, Panama, NY and Amanda Durnell of Kalamazoo, Michigan; three sisters: Vicki Acquisto of Stow, New York, Sue Nelson of Commercial Point, Ohio and Sherry Fitzgerald of Englewood, Florida; Two brothers: Donald Keefe of Stedman, New York and Tim Keefe of Fort Wayne, Indiana; 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 11:00 am Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Panama Baptist Church in Panama, New York with Randy Nelson (Sally's brother-in-law) officiating. The family will receive friends and guests at Panama Baptist Church between 10:00-11:00 am immediately prior to the celebration service. Contributions may be made to the Panama Baptist Church, PO Box 188, 21 North Street, Panama, New York 14767 or Tidewell Hospice at 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238 (941-552-7597).