Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Thursday, May 11, 2006 at 05:33:56 :
Independent Journal
Tuesday, July 18, 1967
pages 1 & 6
Tragedy Ends Long-Awaited Vacation Trip
San Rafael Wife Slips Through Life Ring On Swim
Mrs. Dorothy V. Keys, 56, of San Rafael, drowned at Clear Lake yesterday on a family vacation she and her husband had planned for years.
Mrs. Keys drowned while her husband, John J. Keys, and a son, John D. Keys, tried to save her.
Bought Boat
The son said today his parents had saved for years and bought a camping outfit, including a small power boat. The three went to Clear Lake Sunday night and camped, then went fishing in the boat yesterday morning.
As it grew warm, the son said, he and his mother put on life rings and swam near the boat while the father continued to fish.
Rescue Fails
Mrs. Keys' little ring slipped from under her, he said, and she got in trouble although she was normally a capable swimmer. The son said he tried to hold onto her, but was being pulled under himself.
When he swam after the life ring to hold his mother up, she sank from sight, he said. His father was unable to bring the boat alongside because it was anchored and "it all happened very fast."
Boats nearby came to help and one went for the sheriff's lake patrol boat. Mrs. Keys' body was recovered approximately half an hour later.
She is survived by her husband and son of San Rafael; by two other sons, Arthur J. Keys of San Rafael and Robert J. Keys of San Anselmo; a sister, Mrs. Ruth Brock of San Francisco; a brother, George Lucas of Lincoln, Ill., and eight grandchildren.
A native of Lincoln, Ill., Mrs. Keys had lived in California for 32 years and in Marin for 25 years. She worked in the meat department of the Safeway grocery in San Anselmo for 12 years. Her husband is an employee of San Francisco Theological Seminary at San Anselmo.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Chapel of the Hills, San Anselmo. Burial will be private.
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