Shirley Ann Keckler-Gaskins, (1952 - 2018) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

"My mother taught me everything, except how to live without her."

65 years old
Born on September 19, 1952 in Stuttgart, Germany
Passed away on January 25, 2018 in Suffolk, Virginia, United States

Shirley Ann Keckler-Gaskins, 65, of Carrollton, passed away on January 25 at Obici Hospital in Suffolk, VA.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 at Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News, VA with the Rev Joe Hunt officiating. A celebration of her life will follow for family and friends at the same location.

Shirley Ann and her identical twin sister Shelley Blanche were born in Germany on September 19, 1952. They moved to the United States with their parents, Lt. Col. Ralph J. Keckler and Lillia Chaubard Keckler early in life. Shirley married the love of her life, William A. “Buddy” Gaskins on December 23, 1984 in Newport News. She delighted in raising her children and grandchildren and spoiled them as much as she could. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling with her husband during his frequent trips around the country for his job with FEMA until his passing last year. During the last year of her life she missed her husband deeply and suffered with multiple health problems of her own.

Shirley is preceded in death by her mother Lillia Keckler Chaubard,father, Lt. Col. Ralph J. Keckler, twin sister Shelley Rackley and brother, Claude Keckler..

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Irene Williams of Portsmouth, her stepson Paul Avery Gaskins of Norfolk, three stepchildren from her husband’s previous marriage, and her brother Gene Keckler of New Kent.

For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at http://www.peninsulafuneralhome.com/video.

Tributes

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January 25, 2023

5 years and I miss you like you left us yesterday. I love u my friend.

September 19, 2021

Happy birthday angel. The 19th followed by the 23rd our birthdays we shared at the Olive Garden. They haven’t been the same but ur sprit lives within me. I’m still grandmas little boy then, now, and forever I love you angel give everyone hugs happy birthday from you alidoo. I love you

January 25, 2021

3 years later I miss you like it was yesterday. Fly high my friend.

February 3, 2018

Sure going to miss you Shirl, Fly High my dear friend!!! Till we meet again. Thank You for being my friend. You were like a sister to me, I have so many beautiful memories. Rest In Heaven!!! You are now reunited with Buddy and pain free. I will always love you, and will miss you so very much. Love Ya Helen

February 3, 2018

Aunt Shirley, how I will miss your voice and your laugh..forever it will remain in my heart. Always you made time to visit when we came to town after moving..I am forever grateful we stayed in contact thru the years. I know yours and Shelley's spirit lives on with all of us who loved you so very much. FLY high..touch the stars..till we meet again..love you!!!!

February 1, 2018

I miss Shirley and Shelly as I think about all the good times we spent together when they came to Gettysburg with their parents. They were so cute and always very special to us all. God bless them.

January 29, 2018

My Aunt Shirley and Nanna (Shelly) always said as I grew up " I love you high as the mountains deep as the sea, all the way to eternity".

January 29, 2018

I missed you the minute you left us! We had so many plans, but I guess we will postpone them until we meet again. I know you are in a better state where you are healthy and free to be with Shelley and Buddy, but I'm also pretty selfish because I would rather have you here with us earthbound folks. You are forever missed we were so lucky to have those last months with you, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life and thank you for sharing your life and your self with us. Love you and miss you.

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Recent Tributes

January 25, 2023

5 years and I miss you like you left us yesterday. I love u my friend.

September 19, 2021

January 25, 2021

3 years later I miss you like it was yesterday. Fly high my friend.

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Gallery

Sam (left) Livie (right) Harvey (middle)

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Passed time

September 19, 2023

5 years. 5 years without you Aunt Shirley and coming up on 18 years without Nana. It hurts everyday you’re not here.

This is my little family. The family I dreamed about for years and talked endlessly with you about. The one I always dreamed of. My wife Sam, she’s…amazing. She supports me and loves me with everyday. She wants me to be happy and truly loves me. She wants all my dreams to come true and to just be happy. My son, Harvey. He’s another dream I always had. The long talks we’d have about what my future children would look like and the reaction you’d give every time, priceless. Aunt Shirley he’s beautiful. He’s a dream come true and I know you had some help picking out my little guy before he was placed on earth with me. You would have adored him. I know you’d have spoiled and loved my boy so much.

I moved home. I’m back in Virginia again. I’ve been here a year since the end of July. I know it took a long time for it to happen but I'm glad to be home again. Im glad I’m closer to where I can visit with you in Gettysburg.

i want my babies to know who you were and Nana. To know the impact you’ve always made on my life. We will visit soon. I promise!

I miss you and think of you both all the time. My angels who watch over my little family and I. Until the day I see you again, I love you! As high as the mountains, as deep as the sea, all the way to eternity!

Happy heavenly birthday to you both!!

Love you,

Liviedoodle

February 3, 2018

Thank You for Being a Friend

Andrew Gold

LYRICS

Thank you for being a friend

Traveled down a road and back again

Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant

I'm not ashamed to say

I hope it always will stay this way

My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And if you threw a party

Invited everyone you knew

Well, you would see the biggest gift would be from me

And the card attached would say

Thank you for being a friend

If it's a car you lack

I'd surely buy you a Cadillac

Whatever you need any time of the day or night

I'm not ashamed to say

I hope it always will stay this way

My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And when we both get older

With walking canes and hair of gray

Have no fear even though it's hard to hear

I will stand here close and say

Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)

Let me tell you about a friend (I wanna thank you)

Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)

And when we die and float away

Into the night the Milky Way

You'll hear me call as we ascend

I'll say your name then once again

Thank you for being a

Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

People, let me tell you about a friend (I wanna thank you)

Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

Whoa, tell you about a friend (thank you right now, for being a friend)

Thank you for being a friend (I wanna tell you right now, and tell you again)

Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you, thank you, for being a friend)

Thank you for being a friend

February 3, 2018

Heaven Can Wait

Meat Loaf

LYRICS

Heaven can wait

And a band of angels wrapped up in my heart

Will take me through the lonely night

Through the cold of the day

And I know

I know

Heaven can wait

And all the gods come down here just to sing for me

And the melody's gonna make me fly

Without pain

Without fear

Give me all of your dreams

And let me go along on your way

Give me all of your prayers to sing

And I'll turn the night into the skylight of day

I got a taste of paradise

I'm never gonna let it slip away

I got a taste of paradise

It's all I really need to make me stay

Just like a child again

Heaven can wait

And all I got is time until the end of time

I won't look back

Let the altars shine

And I know that I've been released

But I don't know to where

And nobody's…

In memory of my friend (sister) Shirley Gaskins she loved Meatloaf but I guess Heaven couldn’t wait. Fly high on Angel Wings you will be truly missed. Give my love to Buddy. The other song I was thinking of is Thank You for being my Friend

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