Hortense E. Keays

Hortense "Tensie" Eichelberger Keays, 87, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on January 7, 2018 (at the Lancaster Mennonite Home). She was predeceased by her husband, William "Bill" Lewis Keays, Sr., to whom she had been happily married to for 65 years. Tensie and Bill were blessed with three children, seven grandchildren, and nine great granddaughters.
Growing up in Saxton, PA., Tensie was a 1947 graduate of Saxton Liberty High School. She earned her BS in education at Marycrest College in Davenport Iowa in 1965 in order to pursue her passion for teaching children. Tensie went on to earn a Master of Education from Millersville University in 1972. She taught over thirty years with the majority of them at Providence Elementary in the Solanco School District. After retirement, Tensie substituted in her local Amish community school. She also worked with the New Hope Community Life Ministries in Quarryville, PA, as an early representative from St. Michael's Lutheran Church congregation. She was a member of the educational sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, as well as a founding member of Norman's Mormans.
Tensie was a world traveler and visited China, South Africa, Mexico, Ireland, Switzerland Russia, Fiji, Guatamala, Canada, Ecuador, Peru, Hong Kong, as well as many places in the USA.
Tensie was an active member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 40 East Main Street, Strasburg, PA., where a service will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 10:30 followed by a time of fellowship and light refreshments at 4875 White Oak Road, Paradise, PA, 17562. There will be no burial as her wish was to donate her body to science through the Humanity Gifts Registry. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to New Hope Community Life Ministries, 248 A Maple Avenue, Quarryville, PA, 17566 or to St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Strasburg. Arrangements entrusted to Reynolds Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Quarryville, PA. To send an online note of condolence, please visit our website at reynoldsfuneralhome.net.