Jeannette M. Keller

Jeannette Marie (Delage) Keller, 64, of Groton, passed away at home unexpectedly on October 5, 2026.

Jeannette was born June 29, 1962 in Meriden, CT, a daughter of the late Edward Burke Delage, of Rochester, NH and Dr. Theresa (Bruno) Ofner, of Groton, NY.

She was a graduate of Hall High School in West Hartford, Connecticut and Tunxis Community College.  She was awarded a BA in Business Administration from the University of Hartford.  After relocating to the area, Jeannette had worked as an administrator for Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Ithaca, and had assisted with clerical and custodial tasks at the Groton Community Church.  She had a deep faith and felt the divine in her everyday life.  She traveled the world, including living in Guam and Texas.

She loved to laugh.  Jeannette maintained the joy of learning about language and words.  Even when expressive aphasia made trying to find the right word difficult.  She was a long-term survivor of a disabling stroke.  She was young at heart and always tried to bring that joy to others.

Jeannette loved animals and felt great affection for them.  She was thoughtful and loved to hear about all the dogs and kitties in the family.  Jeannette loved her family and especially her daughter and nephews.

In addition to her mother, Dr. Theresa (Bruno) Ofner (John Hoster), she is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alexandra and Dr. Paul Mikowski, of Cortland (fur grandcat , Yoda); her brother and sister-in-law, Captain Michael and Jodie Delage, of Homer; and three nephews: Dr. Michael Delage, Christopher Delage (Mary Delage), and Corporal Riley Delage, USA.  She is also survived by Terry’s siblings: Dr. Frank Bruno, Stephen Bruno, and Emelia Bruno.

In addition to her father, she was predeceased by a brother, Stephen Delage, and step-father, Lt. Col. David Ofner, USAF (Ret).

Friends may call from 10:00 - 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 17 at the Shurtleff Funeral Home, 103 Lincoln Avenue, Groton, with a Memorial Service to begin at 11:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Groton Rural Cemetery.

There will be a celebration of life at the Cortland Elks on Friday October 16th from 4:30-7:30pm. (9 Groton Ave, Cortland, NY 13045).

In the last several years, Jeanette utilized several local non-profits to enhance and support her, including Access To Independence of Cortland County (ATI Cortland), Gababout (accessible bus transportation) and Seven Valleys Health Coalition.  Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, are graciously recommended to donate to these organizations. She often remarked that the staff at ATI Cortland were super helpful.  They were assisting her to navigate social security, find more accessible housing, fill out forms, read her mail, borrowing mobility equipment and provided a place to look up recipes in the computer lab.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Shurtleff Funeral Home, and online condolences may be shared with Jeannette's family at www.shurtleffservices.com.