Longtime BRE secretary retires

EAST COUNTY — For Kathy Keebler’s co-workers at Braden River Elementary School, her bright lipstick, smile and her Tennessee twang created an inviting environment at Braden River Elementary and an enthusiasm that embodied what Principal Hayley Rio wanted the school to represent — a positive environment for children and their families.

After a decade of working as the clerical assistant at Braden River, Keebler retired from her position April 30.

“I told the children and my co-workers that they’re my family,” Keebler said. “I love these kids like they’re my own kids. I already promised I would come back and visit.”

What started as a “just-for-fun job” for Keebler — one she hoped would keep her busy so she wouldn’t shop — turned into a career.

“We will miss her Southern charm,” Rio said. “We’re excited for her, but sad for us. Her leaving is a huge loss for the school.”

The decision to retire came after conversations with her husband, Jim, who retired from teaching at Clayton State University, near Atlanta, earlier this month.

Jim Keebler moved in 2009 to Georgia and lives in an apartment the couple owns. He and Keebler visit each other every three weeks and talk on the phone as often as they can.

After five years of living in two different cities, they decided to combine their households into one again.

“We had been apart for so long, that we thought it was time to retire and spend more time together,” Keebler said.

Jim Keebler has started packing and will move back to the Keeblers’ home in the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club this month.

Then, they will travel.

The Keeblers plan to drive their RV west to Texas, Arizona and attractions such as Yellowstone National Park.

They may also stop in Los Angeles to visit their son, Devin, who moved across the country last year to pursue a career in film.

Keebler also looks forward to getting to know her husband again.

The couple met in 1997 at the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, where Keebler worked as the associate director of admissions. The couple met in February and married in May.

“He didn’t realize he would leave with a Ph.D., a wife and two kids,” Keebler said, smiling.

As Keebler thinks about her future, she can’t help but wonder what’s next for the school.

Keebler hopes her replacement, Rachael Benton, will follow her example and will understand what the seat behind the front desk really means.

“Children remember the formative years of elementary school,” Keebler said. “We’re here for the kids; our staff does a wonderful job of remembering that.”

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].