PAULA KEENE

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jan 10, 2004

Paula Kathryn Keene, 83, died January 8, 2004. She was one of eight children born to Eva M. Benson and Barney S. Benson. Mrs. Keene was born July 6, 1920 in Oklahoma. She received her BA degree from Colorado College in 1959 and taught elementary school in District Eleven at Stratton, Edison, and Bates schools until her retirement in 1982. She was active in the Democratic Party and Chapel of Our Saviour Episcopal Church as well as being a supporter of and volunteer with many environmental, social, and humanitarian organizations, including the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Colorado Springs and the Episcopal Church Women's Thrift House.

Mrs. Keene was preceded in death by husbands Harry Hurst and Thomas Keene, and stepson Thomas (Tony) Keene. She is survived by her brother, Benny Benson of Smyrna, Tennessee; sons Jerry Hurst of Colorado Springs and Dennis Shekinah of Mountain City, Tennessee; daughters Linda Hurst of Seattle, Washington, and Karen Dawisha of Oxford, Ohio; stepdaughter Sandy Knowles of Georgia; eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mrs. Keen's name may be made to Chapel of Our Saviour (8 Fourth Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906) or NAMI Colorado Springs (510 E. Willamette, Colorado Springs, CO 80903).

The Burial Office and Eucharist for Mrs. Keene will take place on Monday, January 12, 2004, at 10:00 .m., at Chapel of Our Savior, 8 Fourth Street, Colorado Springs.

Private interment will follow in the Chapel Columbarius at a later date. Mrs. Keene