Grace M. Keir

Grace M. Keir, born July 18, 1924 in Mission, TX, died August 26, 2012 after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle F. and Minnie Lee Milliken; husband, Robert E. Keir; daughter, Sue Keir Hoppe; and brother, Frank Milliken. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Keir and Bob Conkright of Austin; and grandson, Jeff Hoppe, and his wife and son, Annie and Silas, of San Antonio. She also is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Jean Milliken of McAllen, TX; sister and brother-in-law, Lee and Paul Dumas of Ben Salem, PA; and many nieces and nephews. Grace grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, and attended Texas State Teachers College before marrying Bob, whom she met at the First Methodist Church of McAllen. As the wife of an Air Force pilot, she lived in Texas, Georgia, California, Guam and Germany. Grace loved the military-wife life – especially the opportunities to travel and experience new and different cultures. Upon Bob's retirement in 1974, they moved to Helotes, TX, to be closer to their families in TX, but they continued their travels throughout the U.S. and abroad. Grace was a woman of many talents. She was a superb cook, sewed beautiful clothes for her daughters as they were growing up, and had a green thumb. Later in life, Grace pursued genealogy, as did Bob, and together they enjoyed tracking down ancestors in the northeast and southern states, and traveling to their ancestors' old home-sites. For many years she was active in the San Antonio De Bexar NSDAR, Texas Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, and Ladies of the Thistle. For the past 3 ½ years Grace lived independently at Hamilton House in San Antonio, where she enjoyed the company of many new friends. She truly cherished her close and longtime friendship with Jo Rawlings and Barbara Steward. Grace's first great-grandchild, Silas, was born October 28, 2011. He was her pride and joy. She was a kind, loving and generous woman who already is missed by friends and family. Visitation will be 7-8 pm, Thursday, August 30, 2012 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. A Graveside Service will be held at 1 pm, Friday, August 31, 2012 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road , San Antonio.