Jay Keller, the oldest living person in the U.S. state of Vermont, passed away in Shelburne on 11 July, at the age of 110 years, 38 days.
Jay Keller was born in Albany, New York, on 3 June 1916. Jay graduated from Burlington’s Cathedral High School in 1934. He was one of only five students in his graduating class accepted into the University of Vermont College of Medicine’s two-year pre-medical program. Jay earned his M.D. degree on 10 June 1940, and married his high school sweetheart, Pauline (“Polly”) Cecelia Murphy (1916–1992), just five days later. Two weeks after their wedding, he left to begin his internship at St. Michael’s Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, marking the start of his medical career.
Having participated in the ROTC program at the University of Vermont, Jay was prepared for military service and was called to active duty immediately after completing his internship. During basic training and military maneuvers in the southern United States, he and Polly welcomed their first son, David. However, a recurrence of his severe asthma, aggravated during training, led to an honorable discharge and the family’s return to Vermont. Learning that an Essex Junction physician was missing in action in Europe, he purchased the doctor’s office with the help of a loan from his father and financing from Burlington Savings Bank. He hired newly graduated nurse Frances Reynolds, R.N., and together they established a busy practice.
In addition to their first son, David, Jay and Polly went on to have seven more children—four daughters and three sons. As his medical career progressed, he chose to specialize in surgery, requiring him to complete a surgical residency in New York City. During those demanding years, he returned to Burlington every other weekend to spend time with Polly and their growing family. After a long and distinguished career in medicine, Dr. Keller retired in 1983.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Jay Keller during this difficult time.
