Gwendolyn Q. "Gwen" (Quinn) Keys

Gwendolyn Mae “Gwen” (Quinn) Keys, age 91, of Hazen, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA. She was born on May 14, 1932, at the family home in Allens Mills, PA, to the late Fred L. and Susan (Ewing) Quinn. She was the first born of six siblings. She graduated from Brookville High School in 1951, where she excelled at academics, particularly mathematics, geography, and history. Gwen married William Keys on January 24, 1951, until he preceded her in death in 1979. She shared a subsequent 28 years of her life with her loving companion, Sheldon Rossey, until his death in 2017.

Gwen had a robust working career including employment by Brockway Glass until her retirement in 1987. Given her work ethic and countless talents, she continued other employment opportunities as a clothing consultant for Beeline Fashions, and then as a travel agent heading tours for Advantage Travel, Mary’s Little Lamb Bus Tours, and Matson Travel.  

She was an inquisitive individual and had a variety of hobbies and interests. Some of her favorites were knitting, gardening, gemstone jewelry making, and culinary art. Gwen achieved a lot of recognition in many of these areas evidenced by her Blue-Ribbon collection from the Jefferson County Fair. Gwen was a strong woman of extraordinary faith and attended the Hazen United Methodist Church, and that faith carried her through a lifetime of challenges and opportunities.

In her spare time, Gwen had an avid interest in Nascar Auto Racing, attending many events in person including the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400. With her upbringing on the farm, she had a love for animals, including her loyal companion bulldog, Burt. 

Gwen’s life has embodied grit, determination, perseverance, and a loving embrace of those with whom she grew acquainted. Those of you that know her well, undoubtedly will attest to those descriptions.  Suffice to say she will be remembered long after her passing by the many family and community individuals that she has touched so deeply and lovingly. Above all, Gwen’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren meant the world to her. She cherished every moment she had with all of them and loved them each in their own unique way.

Gwen is survived by her three loving children; William (Shannon) Keys of Hazen, PA, Vickie (Robert) Trnavsky of Erie, PA, and Beverly Keys (Marvin) Pember of Paradise Valley, AZ; seven grandchildren; Krissy Keys and Jenny Keys of Brookville, PA, Billy Keys of Dade City, Florida, Annette (Pete) Stires of Pittsburgh, PA, Bobby (Emily) Trnavsky of Akron, Ohio, Katie Pember and Nick Pember of Paradise Valley, AZ; six great-grandchildren; Lillian Keys, Easton Keys, William Keys, Lucy Stires, Ellie Stires, and Lillian Pember, three sisters; Jayne Lundberg of Gainesville, FL, Mary Lundberg of Brockway, PA, and Marjorie Lindemuth of DuBois, PA; one sister-in-law; Janet Cairns of Summerville, PA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, husband, and companion, Gwen is preceded in death by one brother; Thomas Quinn; and one sister; Marie Lockwood.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 3 – 8 pm at the Carrier Funeral Home, 2834 Maplevale Rd., Brookville, PA. A second viewing will take place on Friday, June 30, 2023, from 10 – 11 am at the Hazen United Methodist Church, 57 Allens Mills Rd., Brookville, PA. A funeral service will take place following the second viewing, beginning at 11:00 am, and officiated by Pastor Joni Williams. Interment will take place privately by the funeral home at Temple Cemetery in Warsaw Twp., Jefferson Co., PA. 

Memorial donations may be made in Gwen’s name to the Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 65808, or to the National Wildlife Federation, PO Box 1583, Merrifield VA 22116-1583. Please visit our website at www.carrierfh.com for more information, or to place an online condolence.    

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