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Heather Jean Marie Dauer-Keilen, age 52, of Paradise Valley, Arizona went to her eternal home on March 17, 2024, when she passed away in a single-vehicle accident.
Heather was born to Monte and Marci Dauer on April 7, 1971 in Santa Clara, California. She was the second of five children. Heather had a happy childhood full of adventure, including frequent trips to Hawaii with her family, and many summer days in Santa Cruz, California, where her parents owned and operated an ice cream business. Growing up, Heather was very active: she enjoyed swimming, soccer, and cheerleading. Heather was social and engaging, often surrounded by friends. Heather graduated with honors from Leland High School in Almaden Valley, California, and went on to work for several different technology companies in Silicon Valley. Heather found success working in an intensely creative field. Throughout her life, spending time with her large, extended family brought her joy. She cherished her grandparents, Al and Jean Dauer (“Grammy and Pop”), and loved spending time with them during their golden years. After the birth of her first daughter, Kensington, Heather left the workforce to focus on being a full-time mother. She and her family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 2005. While she enjoyed Arizona, Heather loved being near the ocean and lived primarily in San Diego, California, from 2017-2023. Heather was a thoughtful, gifted writer and often expressed herself through poetry that reflected on her relationship with family and her faith in Jesus Christ. The gift Heather treasured more than anything was Jesus’ gift of eternal life. She wrote in a poem, “When You said, “It is finished” and took Your last breath, You freed me from my bondage and gave victory over death.”
Heather leaves behind three children, whom she cherished and admired. Heather is survived by her daughters Kensington Summer and Kardigan Love, of Wilmington, North Carolina, her son Keaton Rocco of Encinitas, California and her former husband, RJ Keilen, of Paradise Valley, Arizona.
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