Susan A. "Suzi" Tornabene-Keller

Susan A. “Suzi” Tornabene-Keller, age 72, a life-long resident of Dover and whose family has deep roots in Tuscarawas County, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025, surrounded by those she loved.

Born September 5, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Vera (Bonvechio) Tornabene. Suzi graduated in 1970 from Dover’s St. Joseph High School, the school’s last graduating class, and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and her master’s degree from Malone College. Additionally, Suzi took coursework at Ashland University attaining further educational certifications. She was employed by the Tuscarawas County Educational Service Center, now East Central Ohio E.S.C., as an itinerant pre-school teacher. Suzi was a strong advocate for early childhood education and pioneered pre-school programs in Tuscarawas County. She later worked for 20 years at the Stark County Educational Service Center before retiring as Early Childhood Program Coordinator.

Suzi married Ricki L. “Rick” Keller on September 20, 1980. The couple raised six children and shared 36 years of marriage before Rick’s passing on April 22, 2017. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church in New Philadelphia and was committed to the church’s Prayer Chain. Suzi was devoted to her entire family and her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Tuesday evening dinners were a family tradition for decades. Suzi very much enjoyed getting together with old friends from school and playing cards, and she enjoyed reading as well.

She will be dearly missed by her children, Scot Keller, Allison (Stephen) Hoffmann and Kelsey (Bryan) McConaha, all of Dover; her step-children, Nick Keller of Newcomerstown, and Deena (Kirk) Gruber of Massillon; her grandchildren, Chelsey, Kyle, Cory, Paige, Grace, Sophia, Annie, Charlotte, Sam, Ben and Fiona; her brothers, Tim (Judy) Tornabene of New Philadelphia, and Tom (Kathi Crolley) Tornabene of Port Washington; and her nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her parents and her husband, Rick, Suzi was preceded in death by her step-daughter, Chrissy Keller, and by her beloved dog of many years, Toby.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Thursday, February 27, 4 - 7 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Fr. Jeff Coning will celebrate Suzi’s funeral Mass on Friday, February 28, at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Calvary Cemetery. Following the committal, there will be a lunch in Sacred Heart’s Parish Center.

Contributions honoring Suzi’s memory may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third St. N.E., or the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, 1432 Tall Timber Rd. N.E., both addresses at New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.