It is with heartfelt gratitude that we remember Theo Keet, who served as the President of the Pacific Art League's Board of Directors from 2014 to 2018.
Theo’s leadership and dedication were pivotal in expanding our educational programs and improving our historic facility, ensuring that PAL continued to be a vibrant hub for creativity. His unwavering commitment to our mission and community left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.
We honor his memory with deep gratitude and respect.
“In 2019, Theo and his wife, Elza, warmly hosted a holiday party for the PAL board and staff at their beautiful home in Menlo Park, creating an atmosphere that felt like a family gathering rather than just a work event. Their gracious hospitality fostered a deeper sense of connection among everyone, reminding us all that our bond at PAL goes beyond the professional—it’s rooted in genuine care and camaraderie.”
— Aly Gould
“Theo Keet was well-known for his financial smarts, but he had a hidden talent as a silversmith. He crafted beautiful silver jewelry for his wife, Elza, and I was always amazed by the intricate details in his work. He took a lot of pride and joy in seeing her wear those pieces. Elza’s necklaces, made by Theo, were always wonderful works of art!”
— Donny Foley
“Theo was such a vibrant personality. He steered the PAL in a professional direction. His ability to comprehend accounts, programs, and personnel was a positive contribution to PAL when we were starting over in our remodeled and earthquake-safe building.”
— Joy Chase
“Theo shared the hope the staff and I had, that PAL could become a place that truly offered access to art education for all. We worked hard together to launch programs such as the Bill Wilson Center classes, after school programs for many local schools and other programs for underserved groups. It was Theo who developed a relationship with County Supervisor Joe Simitian, which lead to significant financial support for the Youth at Risk program, from the county of Santa Clara. That mission is still core to PAL, with diverse community art programs offered across Silicon Valley, a fitting tribute to Theo’s commitment.”
— Jon Graves
“Theo came onto the Board at PAL at a very crucial time. There was a very aggressive push to turn PAL into a co - op gallery. With his skill in finances, Theo was able to direct us onto a more productive path.”
— Robin Scholl
“Theo was President of the Board during an important transition period for PAL. His calm hand and steady leadership led our organization through some difficult rough patches, something for which we will always be grateful. May his memory live on.”
— Patricia Jones
“I loved Theo's smile - it was so much more than just a smile. His eyes would sparkle and his whole face would light up. He was a strong force in our greater community as an advocate for those who needed more.”
— Lori Shoemaker
Make a donation in
Theo’s name
Funds raised will directly support PAL youth scholarships
The Pacific Art League of Palo Alto is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public benefit organization and your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. No goods or services were provided by the Pacific Art League in exchange for the donation.
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