Sophia Keller

Sophia Balodimas Keller, age 87, beloved by her family and friends, passed on April 23, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Born and raised in Chicago, Sophia attended Schurz High School and University of Washington. She later worked at Teletype in Chicago, where she met her husband of 54 years, Kenneth. They married in 1963, and had four children, Kenny, Norene, Michael, and Paul. Sadly, Norene passed two days after her birth. They raised their sons in a northern suburb of Chicago with all three boys graduating from Loyola Academy. Sophia was a devoted mother and somehow managed to stay two steps ahead of her boys, much to their dismay. She was their biggest supporter and loved them dearly. Sophia was devasted by the loss of her eldest son, Kenny, a United States Marine who was killed in Operation Desert Shield in 1990. Kenny left behind a son, Joshua. Michael and Paul each gave her more grandchildren to dote on. Michael (and Kelly) gave her Shannon, Jack, Erin, Maddie, and Mia. Paul gave her Grant and Jake. If you knew Sophia, you also knew all about them. She loved her grandchildren very much.

Ken and Sophia moved to Nashville in 2005, where she became very active in her “Cloister” community, serving on the HOA board, yoga, knitting, but her favorite activities included writing “Chats with Sophia”, a monthly article about residents in the community, and serving eggnog at the annual Christmas party. Ken and Sophia were also their grandchildren’s biggest cheerleaders, attending their various sports and activities. Sophia also particularly enjoyed sharing meals with her family and friends, especially Charles and Ann Riddle. Sophia and her daughter-in-law, Kelly, made the rounds of west Nashville breakfast restaurants where they became regulars. She treasured being surrounded by her family and friends.

Sophia and Ken enjoyed travel, including several cruises over the years, both together and with family. Sophia especially cherished family beach vacations to Florida. Other favorite trips included visits to Alaska, Hawaii, and Greece.

Sophia was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth T. Keller, daughter Norene, sons Ken and Paul, granddaughter Shannon, mother Irene Chiochios Balodimas, father Dan Balodimas, and brother Stan (Carol) Balodimas. Sophia is survived by her son Michael (Kelly) Keller, grandchildren Josh (Lisa) Keller, Jack (Tia) Keller, Erin (Bo) Buchanan, Madeline Keller (Jack Hough), Grant Keller, Jake Keller, Amelia Keller, and great-grandchildren Vivian, Theodore, and a baby girl due this summer, sisters Angie (Paul) Bartolemei and Julie Blake, and goddaughter Jennifer Balodimas.

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, visitation will begin at 9:30am, followed by Mass at 11:00am at St. Henry Church (6401 Harding Pike, Nashville TN 37205). Interment will be at 1:00pm at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery (7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, TN 37221).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Cecilia Academy (4210 Harding Pike, Nashville TN 37205 or www.stcecilia.edu/support) or Loyola Academy Veterans Memorial Endowment Fund (1100 Laramie Avenue, Wilmette IL 60091 or https://goramblers.myschoolapp.com/page/scholarship-donation-form?BBFund=585).