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Oct. 10, 1937 – Nov. 22, 2024

SALUDA, NC – Nancy Nicholson “Nicky” Ogden Keller died peacefully on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, the 45th anniversary of her marriage to James “Jim” Hawthorne Keller, who preceded her in death on Sept. 13, 2024.

Born in New Orleans, LA, Nicky was raised in Havana, Cuba, where her family owned a food brokerage business until the early 1960s when they were forced to leave in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution. Cuba has always been the home of her heart. After Cuba, the family settled in Natchez, MS, where they had generations of history and family roots. From the time Nicky was a baby, she and her family spent summers in Saluda, NC, where Nicky loved to romp through the woods with her father or climb the tallest trees with her best friend, Lucy Holman, swim in Ogden Pond with the Leland sisters and her many summertime friends, and square dance to her heart’s delight on Friday nights. Saluda spoke to Nicky’s soul and is where she felt most at home in the States.

Nicky had an insatiable thirst for learning. She was fluent in Spanish and French, fluent enough in German, and sometimes would include a bit of Italian, Portuguese, or Mandarin Chinese to keep things lively. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hollins College and a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from Tulane University (after writing her thesis while raising five wiley children). Later in life she earned a degree in Paralegal Studies and earned a second master’s degree in Library Science from the University of South Carolina. She loved to read and had books everywhere on a wide range of subjects. While in conversation, no matter the topic, it was common for her to say, “Oh, I have a book on that. Let me lend it to you.” From her beautiful mother, Nicky learned the art of being alone and was never bashful about taking time for herself.

In 1963 Nicky married her first husband, Paul R. Rogers, and they moved to Massachusetts where they had five children during their 11 years together. When not busy as a mom, she filled her days with walks in the woods, finding four-leaf clovers, cross-country skiing, writing in her journals, practicing Tai Chi, dowsing for water, gardening, cultivating lifelong friendships, and working at the Town of Pelham secretary.

She met her second husband in Saluda, NC, where they connected on the shared history of one of the town’s historic homes that had passed from his family to hers. She and Jim married in 1979 and resided in Greenville, SC. After all the children were grown and on their own, she and Jim moved into Rolling Green Village, where they lived life fully for over 20 years.

Nicky loved traveling with Jim, her sisters, or on solo excursions. She returned to Cuba twice, saw the Great Wall of China, the Panama Canal, and the Amazon River, and never stopped dreaming of the next faraway place she would explore. She loved being a steward of the family properties in Saluda and Natchez. She loved supporting her children in becoming accomplished, curious, kind, appreciative adults who understand the Earth is a temporal place. And she loved texting and co-adventuring with her grandchildren. (Skateboarding can’t be much different than the roller-skating she did as a child, right?)

She was a long-time member of St. James Episcopal Church in Greenville, SC, and the family is exceedingly grateful for the loving pastoral visits she received from members of St. James.

Nicky is preceded in death by her parents, Edwin Bennett Ogden, Jr. and Nancy Allen Ogden; her sister, Mary “Mimi” Ogden Ratcliffe; and her husband, Jim Keller.

She is survived and will be deeply missed by her children, Chris Rogers (Karen) of Greenville, SC, Ed Rogers (Ashley) of Charlottesville, VA, Nancy “Happy” Ehlers (Lee) of Greenville, SC, Amanda Ferrell of Newberry, SC, Ellen W. Rogers of Saluda, NC; her stepsons, Paul Keller (Marni) and Bruce Keller (Carolyn) and their families; her grandchildren, Zoe and Bennett Rogers, Caleb and Wilks Rogers, Ambrose Ehlers, Eva and Glenn Allen Ferrell, and Mara Zetta Anderson; her great-granddaughter, Amelia Grace Ellis; her sisters, Anne “Anita” Ogden Moore and Ellen Ogden Hefley, and many devoted nieces, nephews, and cousins.

To honor Nicky, the family requests that you consider taking a walk in the woods, checking out a book from the library, roller skating, climbing a tree, or taking a sweet afternoon siesta. As well, love the ones you love and hug them often.

An intimate celebration of life will take place in Saluda, NC at a later date, as was Nicky’s wish.