June 14, 1938 – July 16, 2024
Resident of Los Altos
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Marya DeHaven Keeth at her home early Tuesday evening on July 16, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was born to Ledith Mary (née Ewing) and Dr. Kenneth Le Moyne DeHaven in Boise, Idaho. Growing up, Marya’s family moved around the country while her father pursued his medical career. She lived in Boise, Sandpoint, Ann Arbor, Dearborn, San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Tucson, and Los Altos Hills before meeting her future husband & love of her life, Gary Lewis Keeth.
Marya attended two high schools: starting freshman year at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, CA, and Tucson Senior High School in Tucson, AZ, where her father moved the family to serve as USAF Captain and flight surgeon for two years. The family moved back to Sunnyvale where Marya graduated from Fremont High School in 1956. It was while in Tucson that she met her high school sweetheart, Gary. After two years of a long-distance courtship and many love letters, the two were married at Christ Church Portola Valley in 1959. The newlyweds then moved back to Tucson, where Marya earned her BA in Education from the University of Arizona in 1961.
A long-time resident of Los Altos, Marya was a third grade teacher at Garden Gate Elementary School in Cupertino before she went on to earn her MS in Psychology from San Jose State University in 1978. She enjoyed a lengthy career as a school psychologist for Santa Clara County Office of Education. Marya was involved in numerous state and national professional associations and served on local civic boards such as The Los Altos Library Commission. She was also an active member of local charitable organizations such as Filoli in Woodside and Allied Arts Guild Auxiliary in Menlo Park, to name just two.
Marya and Gary shared a passion for travel, taking them to numerous European ports of call, cross-country road trips, luxury train journeys, and exotic airport destinations crisscrossing the globe. Marya will be remembered for her vibrant personality, steadfast work ethic, and acerbic wit among new and old friends and family alike. She lived a full life in all her capacities as daughter, sister, wife, friend, peer, mother, and grandmother, a.k.a. “Moo Moo.” She may have been best known for her life lessons in the form of old adages among her children and grandchildren. A favorite was a variation of Nora Robert’s three simple rules: “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place,” “Always have a hobby,” and “Just be yourself, you’ll do great.”
Marya’s legacy will be cherished by her family. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Lisa M. Jordan. She is survived by her younger sister Camille S. DeHaven (Garth Nystrom); adoring husband of nearly 65 years, Gary L.; her sons, Gary D. (Sofiya Karinova-Keeth) and Michael; her daughter, Marya “Mari” (Bill Stronck); eight grandchildren; three nieces and three nephews.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation at Spangler Mortuary Chapel in Mt. View. Private burial. Donations in Marya’s name may be made to your favorite charity.
The Keeth family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Marya’s caregivers, neighbors, colleagues, friends, and extended family. Through their acts of kindness, thoughtfulness, and friendship, they collectively created the community that defined Marya’s essence. We deeply appreciate your support.