Mary Josephine LiMuli Keil

At 92 years old, Mary passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Rutherford, NJ on November 8, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Nicholas LiMuli and Mary Limuli, the oldest of 11 siblings.

Mary was a devout Catholic and a beloved member of the Basilica of St. Lawrence. She was as member of the Women’s Altar Society, a gift shop volunteer, singer in the church choir and a Eucharistic minister to the homebound. As an accomplished pianist and organist, Mary played the organ/piano for Mass, funerals and weddings at the Basilica for three years. Mary and her husband moved to Asheville in 1968 and raised five children. After raising their children, Mary worked at Sears for 19 years.

She and her husband were world travelers and enjoyed sharing time with the family. Mary was an avid reader and known for her wisdom on many topics, an excellent baker and she loved to knit. Mary played her piano every day up to her 92nd birthday. She enjoyed all genres of music especially the classical pieces by Chopin and Beethoven.

We were blessed by her deep faith in God, a caring and nurturing heart, patience, and good humor. She had a contagious laugh and a loving personality.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Ralph M. Keil and sisters, Catherine LiMuli and Joan Olsson.

She is survived by her eight siblings, Lucina Coppola (Tony), Norma Watkins, Elaine Anderson, Claire Harvey, Nicholas LiMuli, Patrica LiMuli, James LiMuli, and Anne McGlynn, (Richard); five children, Elaine K. Metcalf (Earl), Mark Keil, Karen K. Brown (Elbert), Susan K. Dowd (Doug), and James Keil; eight grandchildren, Josh Metcalf (Ashley), Sarah Wright (Wes), Christina Cottingham (Daniel), Andrea Brown, Ashley Brown, Erika Houghtaling, Alex Houghtaling (Taylor), and Elizabeth Nestler (Tanner); nine great-grandchildren; and 20 nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the Basilica of St. Lawrence. A burial service will follow at the Veterans Cemetery.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, December 10 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road.

To send flowers in memory of Mary Keil, please visit Groce Funeral Website.

Donations can be made to the the Basilica Preservation Fund (see the Basilica St. Lawrence website).

Thank you friends and family for your loving support!