Theodora Keyserling Obituary

Theodora Geurard Huguenin Keyserling BEAUFORT - Theodora Geurard Huguenin Keyserling, 89, of Beaufort, died Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Summit Place of Beaufort. She was born in Adel, Georgia on December 17, 1919, a daughter of the late Edward P. and Beulah Corbett Huguenin. Her childhood was spent on Rosewood Plantation in Coosawhatchie, South Carolina, ancestral home of her father, Edward Percy Huguenin, Jr. She graduated from Ridgeland High School, attended Winthrop College and moved to Beaufort, S.C. in 1938 after her marriage to Harold Levy Keyserling. She worked as an administrative assistant for her husband at McDonald-Wilkins and was extremely active in civic and religious affairs in Beaufort. She held state and local positions of leadership in many of these including the Thomas Heyward chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, various parent, teacher associations, Beaufort Art Association, Business and Professional Women's Club and Order of the Eastern Star. She was a lifelong member of St. Helena's Episcopal Church where she was active in a number of different roles within the church and at the same time took an active and leadership role in the Lady's Auxiliary at Beth Israel Synagogue. After her first husband's death she wed Leroy H. Keyserling and took great pleasure in serving as one of Beaufort Society's "Grande Dames". As a skilled seamstress and talented artist, her creations always commanded a premium at the bazaars to which she contributed them. She is survived by four sons, Michael, Mark and Steven Keyserling, all of Beaufort, S.C. and Jonathan Keyserling of Potomac Falls, Virginia; one sister Mrs. Jules Victor, Sr. of Savannah, Georgia; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husbands and a daughter, Joy Keyserling. The family will receive friends Monday, August 3, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Copeland Funeral Service in Beaufort. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Helena's Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Helena Preservation Trust, P.O. Box 1043, Beaufort, S.C. 29901, Alzheimer's Family Services of Beaufort, P.O. Box 1514, Beaufort, S.C. 29901 or Beth Israel Congregation, P.O. Box 328, Beaufort, S.C. 29901. COPELAND FUNERAL SERVICE is in charge of arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths