.Lori Keller Stuber

Following a very active life during her 47 years in Naples, FL, 32 years in Sapphire Valley, NC and 10 years in Gainesville, GA, Lori Keller Stuber passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 in Gainesville, GA.

Lori gained notoriety in Naples in the early 1960s as co-founder of the Humane Society of Naples, Inc., presiding over the building the County’s first humane animal shelter, and having the title of President Emeritus bestowed upon her following ten years as President of the local organization.  Until the official opening of the Society’s first permanent shelter in 1963, Lori cared for stray animals in her home, while attempting to find loving families for her orphans.  She also served as a Director of the Florida Federation of Humane Societies for fifteen years.

In 2012, Lori was presented with the Walter Turken Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Human Society of Naples for her continuing efforts on behalf of animal welfare.  The Lori Keller Stuber Cat Atrium provides an example of how humanely pets can be housed and treated in a no-kill shelter, as they await adoption.  The Atrium eliminates the need for confinement in individual cages.

However, Lori’s contributions to the Naples community extend beyond the Humane Society.  After moving to Naples, Florida in June of 1959 and being told that there was no Republican Party in Collier County, Lori informed the Voter Registrar that, if they registered her as a Republican, they would have a Republican Party.  As one  of a handful of Republicans who worked hard for a two-party system of government during the 1960s, Lori helped to elect Collier County’s first Republican candidates by volunteering to do their public relations work.

And following Hurricane Donna in September of 1960, when the Small Business Administration was sent to the “disaster area” of Naples by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lori was the only Republican secretary the administration could find to assist in low interest loans.

On October 24, 1930, Dolores “Lori” Elizabeth Johannes was born in Chicago, Illinois, the second daughter of Dr. and Mrs. G. C. Johannes of Oak Park, Illinois. She was a 1948 graduate of Oak Park-River Forest Township High School, and attended Loyola University’s School of Nursing and De Paul University. In 1952, she married the late Walter Leroy Keller, and worked nights until her husband graduated from the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois, so that she could be with their two babies during the day.

During the 1960s, Lori was also the society columnist for the Naples Daily News, writing a popular biweekly column entitled “From the Top Drawer”, in addition to serving on the boards of numerous civic organizations, and singing in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Naples.

In the 1970s, Lori became a successful Real Estate Broker and Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI).

Surrounded by family, Lori married William James “Jim” Stuber (formerly of Rochester, NY) on Christmas Day 1983, followed by a church ceremony on Leap Year Day, February 29, 1984, in Jim’s second home of Tauranga, New Zealand. In the 1990s, Lori’s interests expanded to her latent artistic abilities, antiques, travel, golf, croquet, bridge, mah-jongg, computers, photography and genealogy. She had an infectious laugh and loved to sing in various amateur productions.

In 2006, Lori and Jim retired to Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville, GA. Lori was a member of the Gainesville First United Methodist Church, GA; the Cashiers United Methodist Church, NC; the Country Club of Sapphire Valley, NC; the Humane Society of Naples, FL; and the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society, NC. She was also a charter Seat Endower of the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts.

Lori is survived by a daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Keller, Dunedin, FL; step-children, James Douglas Stuber (Kwang Suk Park) of Chapel Hill, NC, and Michel Delmar Stuber of Rochester, NY; a daughter-in-law, Karen Keller Danks (Shawn) of Naples, FL; and nine grandchildren, Kristin Ahrens, Kurt and Matthew Keller, Blaise Stetson,  David Stuber, James Hyuntay Stuber, and Samantha, Heather, and Carington Stuber, in addition to a niece, Judith Bergren Mouden: nephew, Eric Eugene Bergren (Sue); and two great-nephews.

Lori was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William James “Jim” Stuber, in addition to a son, Walter Michael Keller; sister, Elayne Johannes Bergren; stepson, Thomas Adolf Stuber; step-daughter, Nancy Lyn Stuber; and step-son Tad Stuber.

Interment will follow in the Naples Memorial Gardens Mausoleum at a later date. lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Collier County, Inc., 370 Airport Pulling Rd, Naples, FL 34104 or the Cashiers-Highlands Society, P. O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28774, or to any no-kill animal rescue facility of your choice.

Final arrangements (cremation) are under the direction  of the Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA.     

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.