Ida M. Keith

Ida M. Keith, 94, of Nashua, former longtime resident of Merrimack, passed away peacefully at home on July 25, 2021, with her daughter and caretaker Rebecca by her side. She was born on March 27, 1927 in the small town of Sherburne, Louisiana. Her parents, the late Calton and Gertrude (Bourgeois) Frazee, raised Ida and her three younger sisters in Sherburne; she graduated from nearby Livonia High School in 1944.

While attending a dance held at a small local military base, Ida met Donald Keith, the man who would become her husband of nearly seven decades. The two were married on July 10th, 1946, and settled in Merrimack, NH, where they built their own house and raised their two daughters.

Ida was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Nashua, and dedicated countless hours volunteering for the church. She was known for her excellent homemade jams and jellies, and for knitting hundreds of prayer shawls for donation.

Ida enjoyed spending time with her family: she had five grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, and loved to gather everyone together to share holiday meals or, occasionally, her beloved southern recipes, particularly her famous gumbo. In addition to her volunteer work for her church, she enjoyed knitting and was a gifted seamstress. Over the years, Ida touched many lives in many different circles, and she will truly be missed.

Ida is survived by her two daughters: Kathleen K. Villeneuve and her husband Thomas of Hancock, NH, and Rebecca D. Belonga of Nashua. Additionally, she is survived by her sister Tamra Frazee of Louisiana and many nieces and nephews. Along with her parents and two of her sisters, she was predeceased by her husband, Donald W. Keith, who passed on March 15, 2015, as well as granddaughter Lauren Villeneuve, great-granddaughter Rylea Belonga, and son-in-law Benjamin Q. Belonga III.

In accordance with Ida’s wishes, all services will be privately held. Arrangements under the direction of FARWELL Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.