Mildred L. (Atkinson) Keet

Mildred Lillian Keet, 99, of Allendale died Sunday, October 11,  2020. Born at home in Allendale on May 14, 1921 to Alfred and Lillian Gertrude Atkinson, she attended the Allendale Public School and Ramsey High School. Her childhood was idyllic, playing among the open fields with her sister, Edith, and the Heights Road gang. Thinking she wanted to become a dental hygienist, she attended Paterson State College, graduating in 1941. Mildred then enrolled at the Ridgewood Secretarial School studying commercial business subjects.  Upon graduating, she was immediately hired to be the executive secretary for the head of the Foreign Division of the New York Trust Company in Manhattan. She worked there until shortly after she married. Mildred met the love of her life, Truman Keet, on the train, while commuting each day to the city for work. Smitten, Truman wondered who she was and where she lived, so he decided to stay on the train one night to see where she got off, eventually following her home and their love story began. They married at Archer Methodist Church in Allendale on October 20, 1951. They raised two daughters who were the apples of their parents eyes, and both were involved with family activities and church work. They loved Allendale, and no matter where Truman’s work took them, they always returned to Allendale to live. Mildred had a love of music and a beautiful alto voice. She made her singing debut at the young age of two, at a hotel in Ocean Grove, NJ. By the time she was in high school, she was regularly being asked to be a soloist. She sang with the Archer Church choir for 75 years, only giving it up after the age of 90 because her vision had failed her and she could no longer see the music. Active in various capacities over the years at Archer Church, Mildred was the oldest and held the longest membership there at the time of her death.  She participated in the United Methodist Women’s group, and for many years served as a communion steward. Mildred was predeceased in 2014 by her beloved husband of nearly 63 years, Truman, and her dear sister, Edith Webb, in 2009.  Mildred is survived by her daughters Marilyn Templin (David)  of Charlotte, NC, and Linda Tillinghast of Allendale.  She was the loving grandmother of Sarah Templin (Bruce) of Baltimore, MD, Megan Templin of Cary, N.C., and Abigail Templin (Kaleb) of Cambridge, MA. She is also survived by her loving niece, Barbara Draper of Allendale and her family. Once a friend, always a friend, she is also survived by her Heights Road friend, Bianca Nealley. A graveside service will be held at Valleau Cemetery, Ridgewood, NJ on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. (Meet at the cemetery). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Archer Church Endowment Fund, 37 East Allendale Ave, Allendale, NJ. 07401 or a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mildred L. (Atkinson) Keet, please visit our floral store.