Obituary of Eleanor Kekic Case

Eleanor (Fitch) Kekic Case 7/16/1915 – 1/27/2013 Mom was born in tiny East Sebago, Maine…26 miles north of Portland. She was one of four children of Montford and Elaine Fitch. Her Dad operated Fitch’s General Store for many years…a landmark in that part of Maine since 1830. The family can be traced to the Mayflower and as far back as 1500 in St. Albans, England. She loved art and attended Traphagen Institute of Design. She was a commercial artist in New York City in the late 30’s and fashion was her passion. Mom married Daniel Kekic in 1942 and saw him off to war as a Navy officer in the Pacific Theater. She often said how much she loved Navy life and our family moved many times…Maine to California to Norfolk, VA…following Dad’s ship whenever it came home to port. When dad left the Navy, they settled in Rocky River, Ohio and, later Bay Village and Lakewood, Ohio.  Mom took motherhood seriously and was always the PTA president, Girl Scout leader, driver to dance class or swim lessons.  Always social, she made friends easily and kept them for years. Her 35 years in Florida were a grand adventure for her and her second husband, Walker Case.  She was a good cook and an equally proficient seamstress…once teaching sewing for the Singer Company.  Her later years in the workforce were at Higbee’s and Maas Brothers…custom drapery, bedding and fine china.  Here she could combine friendly conversation and current trends. She would want to be remembered for her many years of volunteer work for the American Cancer Society, Cape Coral Hospital and, especially, Meals on Wheels. Eleanor is survived by her daughters, Jan Kekic Hyne of Stow and Susan Kekic Merrill of Bay Village; grandson David Hyne and his wife, Allayne of Copley; granddaughters Christine Tisone of Parker, Colorado, and Beth Merrill of Bay Village; great-grandsons Brandon and Grant Hyne; and beloved niece, Jil Shangraw of Wells, Maine.  We mourn, but also celebrate a long, full, eventful and productive life. Now, she will return to East Sebago and the family cemetery on the hill. Mom’s family is very grateful to the wonderful staff at Stow-Glen Retirement Village and Cherry Creek…who treated my Mom with the best, loving care imaginable. We couldn’t have found a better place for her to live in her last years. Per her wishes, there will be no calling hours. Please donate, in her name, to your local Meals on Wheels.  That gesture would make her very happy.