Ann Keister

Keister, Ann Baddeley. Age 72, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2020 surrounded by family and friends at Blodgett Hospital due to complications of infection. Ann Baddeley Keister was born on June 12, 1947 to Donald and Millicent Baddeley in Pittsburg, PA. Raised in Saint Louis, Mo and recently of Grand Rapids, Mi Ann was an artist, art educator and professor, devoted wife, voracious reader, fabulous cook, passionate gardener, and a friend who gathered people together to share a good meal. Ann was also an avid traveler. Ann graduated with an M.F.A from the University of Kansas with a focus on textiles. She taught at Idaho State University, Indiana University-Bloomington, and most recently Grand Valley State University retiring in 2016. As a director of a university study abroad program, she shared her love of life and art with her students, in London at Kingston University. Keister's artwork has been displayed nationally at numerous museums, corporate, and university collections. Ann was a textile artist and had an incredible eye for design, color, and detail. She wrote, "I use travel, museum study and my design library as resources for my work. When I travel, I photograph anything that interests me: art, architectural details, shop windows, food. I have had many opportunities in the past several years to visit and photograph museums in many parts of Europe. I also pay attention to the beauty and danger around me. I am interested in my own home, neighborhood and garden, climate change and war." Ann was preceded in death by her parents, mother- and father-in-law. She is survived by her adoring husband David R. Keister of 37 years. Additionally, her brother Tom Baddeley his wife Gayle, and their children Scott, Elizabeth, her husband Zack with their son Jasper carry on. She is also survived by sister-in-law Bonnie Lacy and her children Eric & Marie with daughter Emma, and nephew Kevin. Mourned by many friends around the U.S., Ann was a lover of beauty and friendship. In her memory, plant flowers, buy a book, read to a friend, go to the symphony, listen to music, and especially, saute garlic, onions, scallops, and wine then share a meal with a friend. In Lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to the Nedra J. Smith Otis Art and Design Scholarship https://www.gvsu.edu/giving/give-online2.htm She has been cremated according to her wishes and there will be a memorial celebration of Ann's life at a later date. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ann Keister, please visit our flower store.