Jonica Keel

Jonica Lynn Keel
30 Sep 1957 - 27 Oct 2016

Clubs & Associations

Medallion Dancer

2017 | 10 Year Medallion a Palm Springs Swing & Mix 2017
- Jonica's medallion was awarded posthumously and given to her wife, Dinah Hartley. They had been registered for Maple Leafs Regroup in 2016 but Jonica was too ill to attend.

Obituary

Beloved by many, Jonica Lynn Keel passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2016, surrounded by her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Jonica was born on September 30, 1957 in Spokane, Washington to Tom and Claire Keel. She graduated from North Central High School and received her degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Idaho. While working for Bell Labs in New Jersey, she earned her Masters Degree from Stanford University.

In 1983 Jonica moved to Seattle to work for Bell Communications as a telecom engineer. She worked and consulted in the communications industry throughout her career.

Living in the Pacific Northwest allowed Jonica to enjoy the outdoors and participate in the activities she truly loved. She was an avid camper, hiker, back-packer, biker, skier, and showshoer. She planned hundreds of outdoor trips with her friends and family, and was an admired hike leader with local Seattle hiking groups.

International travel was also a major part of Jonica's life. She traveled throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, Mexico and Central America, Nepal, and New Zealand as well as many parts of Canada and the US.

In 2001 Jonica met Dinah Hartley, and they lived together in Northeast Seattle for the remainder of Jonica's life, marrying in 2013. In addition to many travel and outdoor activities they became active in Modern Square Dancing with Puddletown Squares. They became very accomplished dancers and traveled throughout North America to participate in square dance events.

Known for her generosity and sense of humor, Jonica had many friends and was a valued member of a number of organizations. She was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain. Her dinner parties have become legend among her circle of friends.

Jonica is survived by her wife Dinah, and her step-children Tyler and Anna Neff, by her father and step-mother Tom and Marge Etter-Keel of Watertown, Wisconsin, by her sisters Patty Kloetsch (Daniel) and Chris Stevens (Jeff) of Spokane, and by her nephew Garrett Havens of Edmonds.

A celebration of Jonica's life will be held at a future date. Contributions in memory of Jonica may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Sign Jonica's on line

Guest Book at www.Legacy.com ^[1]