Kathleen Donaldson Keller

On October 25, 2025, Kathleen (Kathi) Donaldson Keller died peacefully at home, surrounded by family and love. Born April 28, 1942 to Ruth Mabey Donaldson and Allan Stewart Donaldson (“Registered Nurse Ruth” and “Fire Captain Al”), Kathi came into the world with an extra helping of joy that caused her siblings to dub her the “favorite child.” The second of six children, she grew up laughing easily and lifting those around her. Beautiful, bright and kind, she was popular with everyone. Her humor was self-deprecating, her optimism genuine, and her compassion boundless. 

A lifelong learner, after graduating from South High School, Kathi earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah—graduating with her doctorate on the same day her daughter Julie received a bachelor’s degree. She juggled multiple jobs while going to school and raising Julie, becoming a quiet force of example for the young women in her family. As a school psychologist for Granite School District, Dr. Keller helped countless children find confidence, resilience, and joy in learning. 

In time, Kathi met and married her soul mate, John Cederquist, with whom she shared 44 years of laughter, travel, and adventure. Whether rafting the Grand Canyon, exploring the world, or tending her garden at home, Kathi met life with curiosity and delight. Even rheumatoid arthritis couldn’t slow her—she famously called herself “the healthiest sick person anyone could know.” Known as the glue of the Donaldson clan, she never missed a birthday. She hosted family gatherings with warmth, and was everyone’s favorite listener. When minor disagreements threatened discord, she offered her signature wisdom gleaned from many river trips: “Just put it on a log and send it down the river.” Nothing was important enough to get angry about. 

Kathi is survived by her husband John, daughter Julie Anne Keller, sisters Anne Pipkin and Sheila Peterson, step-mother Mary Donaldson, sister-in-law Kristan Robson, and a wide, loving circle of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews who will miss her deeply. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Allan, brother Stewart Donaldson, and sisters Pamela Donaldson and Laurie Donaldson. 

Her legacy is one of laughter, learning, kindness, respect for human decency, and preservation of nature. In lieu of flowers, Kathi asked that donations be made to Utah Food Bank, Operation School Bell, or Tree Utah. Kathi's preference was to have no funeral service. Her ashes will rest beside those of her beloved parents at the Freedom Fountain in Cottonwood Heights.