Obituary for Joan Virginia Keifer
Joan Virginia Keifer left this earthly world at age 70 on Oct. 19, 2023, following a brief illness.
Joan was born on Feb. 14, 1953 – the second of five children born to Clyde Normand Fitts and Marion (Parmelee) Fitts.
A 1971 graduate of Canton High School and long-time resident of New Hartford, Joan became a mother at age 18. Despite the challenges of being a teen parent, Joan worked hard and proved to be a fun, loving mother who took her son Eric on many adventures.
Later, Joan met the love of her life, Fredrick Keifer, and the two were married on October 3, 1980. They also had two more boys - Daniel and Brian.
Joan and Fred planted roots in Burlington, CT, and created a welcoming home near Lake Garda. Family, friendship and faith were important, and Fred and Joan often hosted small gatherings and were surrounded by dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens.
Through the years, Joan also continued her spirit of adventurous motherhood. She, for example, traveled far and wide to help Dan showcase his award-winning rabbits and took a cross-country trip with Brian.
Throughout her life, she also held a special place in her heart for Bradford, VT, the long-time home of her maternal grandmother and aunt. She and her siblings spent many a summer’s day there while growing up and would continue to periodically visit.
Joan was also an avid music lover. Her tastes were broad, but she particularly loved Willie Nelson. She was an expert knitter, veracious reader, and advocate for those on the margins of society.
Joan worked for many years as a bookkeeper at Faxon Engineering in West Hartford. After receiving her nursing license in 1996, she spent several years helping others at a variety of care facilities.
Joan is predeceased by her mother, father, husband, and her son Daniel. She took those passings to heart and dearly missed her loved ones. She spent the last few years of her life in Dunn, North Carolina, looking for a fresh start and to be close to Dan’s fiancée, Brandon Pilmer.
Joan is survived by her son Eric Keifer and his wife Jennifer of Danvers, MA; her son Brian Keifer and his partner Joseph Truong of Chicago, IL; her stepdaughter Debra Keifer and her partner Jeffrey Thibodeau of Winsted; her stepson Fredrick Keifer, Jr. of Torrington, CT; her brother Ed Fitts of Winsted, CT; her sister April Fitts of New Britain, CT; her sister Joyce Blosser of Watertown, NY; her brother John Fitts and his wife April of Canton, CT; as well as many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 10:30AM on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT. Please visit Joan’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Joan was born on Feb. 14, 1953 – the second of five children born to Clyde Normand Fitts and Marion (Parmelee) Fitts.
A 1971 graduate of Canton High School and long-time resident of New Hartford, Joan became a mother at age 18. Despite the challenges of being a teen parent, Joan worked hard and proved to be a fun, loving mother who took her son Eric on many adventures.
Later, Joan met the love of her life, Fredrick Keifer, and the two were married on October 3, 1980. They also had two more boys - Daniel and Brian.
Joan and Fred planted roots in Burlington, CT, and created a welcoming home near Lake Garda. Family, friendship and faith were important, and Fred and Joan often hosted small gatherings and were surrounded by dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens.
Through the years, Joan also continued her spirit of adventurous motherhood. She, for example, traveled far and wide to help Dan showcase his award-winning rabbits and took a cross-country trip with Brian.
Throughout her life, she also held a special place in her heart for Bradford, VT, the long-time home of her maternal grandmother and aunt. She and her siblings spent many a summer’s day there while growing up and would continue to periodically visit.
Joan was also an avid music lover. Her tastes were broad, but she particularly loved Willie Nelson. She was an expert knitter, veracious reader, and advocate for those on the margins of society.
Joan worked for many years as a bookkeeper at Faxon Engineering in West Hartford. After receiving her nursing license in 1996, she spent several years helping others at a variety of care facilities.
Joan is predeceased by her mother, father, husband, and her son Daniel. She took those passings to heart and dearly missed her loved ones. She spent the last few years of her life in Dunn, North Carolina, looking for a fresh start and to be close to Dan’s fiancée, Brandon Pilmer.
Joan is survived by her son Eric Keifer and his wife Jennifer of Danvers, MA; her son Brian Keifer and his partner Joseph Truong of Chicago, IL; her stepdaughter Debra Keifer and her partner Jeffrey Thibodeau of Winsted; her stepson Fredrick Keifer, Jr. of Torrington, CT; her brother Ed Fitts of Winsted, CT; her sister April Fitts of New Britain, CT; her sister Joyce Blosser of Watertown, NY; her brother John Fitts and his wife April of Canton, CT; as well as many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 10:30AM on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT. Please visit Joan’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.