In Memory of Chris Keith

One of the best parts about blogging is how very small it makes the world seem. We become interwoven in the lives of people, who without the internet, we surely would never know. But that is also one of the worst things about blogging…

The blogging community is reeling from the loss of one of its own. Chris Keith blogged at “Adventures of a Thrifty Mama” about healthy living, organic eating, homeschooling… the same thing that so many bloggers do. And she was good at it. She had to be. Chris was supporting four kids on her own, on a subsistence income after separating from her abusive husband.

But one week ago, her estranged husband went to her house, and killed her. He killed her oldest son, Isaac. And then he killed himself. (The three youngest children had been staying at their grandparents’ house for the night.)

Chris taught Zumba. She gardened. She went on her local news channel to talk about food stamps, and how to eat healthy meals with a minimal budget. She was a mother, like all of us, struggling to do the best she could for her kids. And now she joins the one of three women who died at the hands of their abusive partner.

Chris leaves behind three children; sons aged 4 and 8, and a six year old daughter.

They have not been allowed back in their home, and it is unknown when they will be again. Her church has set up a memorial fund, and her family is accepting Christmas for her surviving children at the below address.

Keith Children

Care of Ann Merrifield 1504 Wintercrest East Lansing, MI 48823

Want to help in a different way? You can spread the word that domestic violence, as endemic as it is, should not and must not be tolerated. The following sites are available to help…

The National Domestic Violence Hotline, where trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially.

Safe Horizon helps connect victims to shelters.

The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence provides access to information and opportunities for training and education for those who want to work to end domestic violence, or intervene on behalf of somebody in their life.