Madelyn Gayle Yeo

25 Year Ukiah Resident

Madelyn Gayle Keller Yeo was born in Springfield, Missouri on February 10, 1948, to Frank Beldon Keller and Roberta Roslyn Ragan. She died peacefully on August 18 at UCSF in San Francisco after a summer decline due to congestive heart failure.

Madelyn is survived by her husband Dennis and two adult children, Rebecca Daniels of Chicago and Matthew Yeo of San Francisco; a sister Paula Keller Smith of New Orleans, LA and a brother John Keller of Magdalena, NM. She and Dennis have been blessed with six grandchildren ages 6-16 years: Tate, Thatcher, and Cicily Daniels; Penelope, Walter, and Callista Yeo.

In 1966, Madelyn graduated from high school in Manhattan, Kansas. In 1970 she earned a BA in English from Kansas State University, and in1972 completed an MA in English literature from the State University of New York in Binghamton, NY.

Madelyn married Dennis Yeo on July 31, 1971, in their hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. Immediately after the wedding, the couple left for their wedding night in Kansas City, then on to Binghamton, NY; so, began their 54-year marriage. In 1972 they moved to Santa Clara, and later San Jose, where Madelyn was employed as a technical editor in the early days of Silicon Valley. In 1985 they founded a small software firm which led to retirement in1995.

In 2000 Madelyn and her husband purchased a historic 19th century residence in Ukiah and began an extensive renovation with the intent of reselling the home upon completion. During this interval, they lived in the home’s guest cottage and gradually fell in love with Ukiah’s surrounding beauty, welcoming residents, and the small-town atmosphere reminiscent of their hometown. By the time the renovation was completed in early 2003, all thoughts of reselling had evaporated and Ukiah became the couple’s permanent residence.

Shortly before passing, Madelyn Yeo asked for a few of her favorite things to be included in a story of her life. Madelyn loved any and all gardens; her own pristine vegetable and flower gardens; her fruit trees (particularly her sour cherry), preparing and eating good food; being with family and friends; skiing; biking; cheeses; her large collection of beach sands; the beauty of her brother’s photography; and the privilege of being a part of her grandchildren’s lives.

A service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, August 30, at Eversole Mortuary. Casual dress is optional. Immediately following the ceremony attendees are invited to attend a reception at the Todd Grove Room of the Ukiah Valley Golf Course, 599 Park Blvd.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the American Heart Association