Thelma Kehoe Obituary

Thelma B Kehoe, a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7, 2026. She was surrounded by the family she loved so much. Thelma was born on November 5,1940 in Tecumseh, Michigan. She was the youngest child and only daughter of Blanche and Arthur Strahle. She grew up on the family farm in Grass Lake. She attended a one room schoolhouse until she completed the 8th grade. She then took the long bus ride to attend high school in the village of Manchester. This is where she met the love of her life, Daniel Kehoe. They dated those next 4 years of high school and married while Dan was in college at Western Michigan University. Thelma worked as an administrative assistant at the University of Michigan School of Public Health until they decided to move to the suburbs. They eventually settled in Shelby Township and built their dream home. Thelma then worked as an administrative assistant for a Dean at Oakland University and after 13 years of marriage they started a family.

Together, Thelma and Dan raised 2 children, Kristin and Kevin. Thelma was a stay-at-home mom for many years volunteering at her children's school and in their activities. Her children were the at the heart of everything she did. She loved being a mom! As her children became more independent, she returned to work. She was one of the 3 original employees of a small leasing company in Rochester. That company grew and she eventually held the position of Human Resources Director.

Thelma was blessed with 3 bonus grandchildren, Meghan, Adam, and Emily when her daughter married. A few years later, she became grandma to twins Claire and Kate, and then to Ella. She was the very best grandma! The older grandchildren called her "Mom Kehoe" until the twins came up with their own name for her... Nana. That name stuck and she was then known to everyone as Nana. Thelma spent a great deal of time with her grandchildren. She and Dan read books to them, played games, took them to the park and out to eat, and attended all of their sporting events. Her family continued to grow as Meghan, Adam, and Emily were married and began to have children of their own. Thelma was now the great grandmother to Bradley, Natalie, Jacob, Grace, Carter, Stevie, and Jack.

The home that she and Dan built 50 years ago was a special place. It was home to many of her children's sleepovers and pool parties, couples card and dinner parties, holiday parties, Halloween bonfires for the neighborhood, poolside barbeques, Easter egg hunts for the grandchildren, a wedding celebration, and so much more. Thelma truly enjoyed her family and friends and wanted everyone to always feel welcome.

She is survived by her children Kristin (Paul) Bemis and Kevin Kehoe, grandchildren Claire, Kate, and Ella, bonus grandchildren Meghan (Jon) Lembas, Adam (Lauren) Bemis, and Emily (Zach) Hite, and bonus great grandchildren Bradley, Natalie, Jacob, Grace, Carter, Stevie, and Jack.

She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel Kehoe of 58 years, brothers Leon Strahle, Howard Strahle, and Harold Strahle, as well as her parents Arthur and Blanche Strahle, stepmother Bertha Strahle, and stepsisters Irene Watson and Marie Below.

Thelma will forever be remembered for her kindness, generosity, warm heart, spectacular cooking and ability to truly feed an army on a moment's notice, the way she listened and gave the best advice, her competitiveness and love of card games, and the incredible love she had for her family and friends. She was a strong, yet gentle woman who will be greatly missed.

A gathering will be held for Thelma on Saturday, March 14,2026 from 10:00 am until the time of her service at 1:00 pm at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 Blks. E of Van Dyke), Utica,

Funeral procession to Christian Memorial Cemetery, Rochester Hills, Michigan. Memorial contributions are appreciated to American Lung Association, National Direct Response Headquarters, P.O. Box 756, Osceola, WI 54020-0756.

Memorial Donation - American Lung Association < https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2?df_id=46858&mfc_pref=T&46858.donation=form1&topic=None >

Please share a memory with the Kehoe family at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com