Charlene Rose Kealiher, 82, passed away peacefully Jan. 5 in her home, surrounded by her family.

Charlene was born June 22, 1937, in Lexington, Mo., to John T. and Doris K. Maynard. They eventually moved to Colorado, and in 1952, she married Richard (Dick) Kealiher. Together they had five children. In 1975, they moved to Burns where they started farming, which had been one of Dick’s lifelong dreams. Charlene spent most of her young life raising her family. In 1978, they moved into town, and when the children were grown, she went to work.

She worked at Mode O’Day, Ruthie’s Jewelry, and the U.S. Forest Service. Because of her great love for fashion and clothing, she opened her own clothing store and called it the “The Walk In Closet.”

Later in life, she decided to go back to school. She drove to Bend twice a week to get her associate’s degree in spite of her handicap of the strokes she suffered in her 50s. She became a member of Burns Christian Church and was active in the church until her death.

Charlene is survived by her sons, Richard (Rick) Kealiher, and his wife, Keni, Jeff Kealiher, and his wife, Kim; daughters, Diana (Deenie) Botkins, Kelly McCracken, and Lori Curtis and her husband, Mark; Grandchildren, Richard Kealiher and family, Jeremiah Kealiher and wife, Tiffani, Brandon Briels and wife, Amy, Amber Gamble and husband, Josh, Matthieu Hudson and wife, Brittany, Chelsea VanHise and husband, Chris, Sam McCracken and Bailey, Cassie Moore and husband, Keaton, John Kealiher, Peter Diaz, Anna Torrence and husband, Mike, Sara Diaz and Chance, Megan Curtis and Elric. She also leaves behind 19 great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Alyssa, Kylee, Brandon, Camille, Nolan, Cooper, Beau, Tyler, Kaden, Brianna, Eryk, Mackenzi, Riley, Addison, Jacob, Ike, Chloe, and three others; sister, Susan Powell and Carlos; niece, Candi Powell and son, Anthony Powell.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Kealiher; father, John T. Maynard; mother, Doris K. Maynard; and sons-in-law, Ray Botkins and Paul McCracken.

A celebration of life service was held Jan. 7 at Burns Christian Church.

Donations in her memory maybe made to Burns Christian Church, 125 S. Buena Vista, Burns, Oregon 97720.