Eleanor Dorothy Keafer

Eleanor Dorothy Keafer, age 94, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Riverside Hospital with her family by her side.
Eleanor was born on January 7, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois to Horace Axner Granath and Anna Marie Catherine (Gilke) Granath. When Eleanor was just 5 years old, her dad passed away. A few years later, her mom remarried and gave her and her little brother Bob a wonderful stepfather, Bernard Victor “Ben” Donat. He welcomed the two children with open arms and was a wonderful stepfather. Eleanor graduated in 1950 from Steinmetz High School in Chicago.

A few years later, Eleanor met the love of her life, an Army soldier, Robert M. “Bob” Keafer. The two were introduced by Eleanor’s mother and Bob’s sister, who worked together. When she first met him and he was in his full Army dress uniform, it was love at first sight, he swept her off her feet! Bob and Eleanor were married November 24, 1956 at St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church in Chicago.

The Army then moved Bob and Eleanor to Newport News, VA, where Bob would serve in the Army at Fort Eustis. They grieved the loss of their first child, James Robert “Jamie” Keafer who passed away as a 2 month old infant in 1957. They had 2 more children, Mark and Barbara and then the Army called the family away to Taiwan. It was in Taiwan that they welcomed their 4th child, Susan. The family was sent from Taiwan back to Fort Eustis, VA a few years later. The Keafer family then called Newport News their home from 1963 on.

Bob and Eleanor were founding members and were active parishoners of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Newport News. Eleanor retired in 1990 from Newport News Public Schools, where she worked as a Nurse’s Aide and a Teacher’s Aide. After retiring, she served 15 years as a volunteer for Mary Immaculate Hospital, until she had to step away to care for her husband. The love they had for eachother was immeasurable and they were truly dedicated to eachother.

After Bob’s passing in October 2008, Eleanor wanted to volunteer at Fort Eustis as a way to “give back” to the place her husband had served for many years. She volunteered for several years (2009 to 2020) with the Wounded Warrior Unit and the Army Community Services Department. Eleanor received several awards for her many years of volunteer service. Many soldiers remember her for her fresh baked cookies that she’d bring with her each week.

Eleanor was preceeded in death by her parents, her brother Bob Granath, her husband of 51 years Bob Keafer, and their son, Jamie.

Eleanor is survived by her 3 children and their spouses: Mark and Debbie Keafer of Newport News, Barbara and Wolfie Cundiff of Smithfield, and Sue and Buzzy McDaniel of Gloucester. She was known as Grandma to her 5 grandchildren and their spouses that also survive her: Amanda (Nathan) Jones, Matthew (Rene) Keafer, Dale (Brie) Cundiff, BJ (Jacklyn) McDaniel, and Olivia McDaniel and her fiancée Gabe. She was “G.G” to her 7 great grandchildren that she adored: Abby, Laura, and Emma Jones, Allyson and Audrey Keafer, Aleya Cundiff, and Sawyer McDaniel. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. She will always be remembered for her sweet smile, tender heart and loving personality.

A visitation and viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 7 PM at Amory Funeral Home. The funeral will be on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 11 AM at St. Jerome Catholic Church with burial at Peninsula Memorial Park.