Miriam Louise Keene

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, & Great-Grandmother, Miriam Louise Keene, 76, was Promoted to Glory, on November 19, 2025, from her home in Milwaukie, OR.

Miriam John was born on April 10, 1949, in Long Beach, CA to Joyce & Mable John (nee Andrews).

Miriam graduated from Jordan High School and attended Long Beach City College, majoring in Home Economics (Dress Design), minoring in Dance.

Miriam was married to David Cassford from 1971-1977. They had 2 sons, Peter Alan and Richard David.

Miriam married Robert Keene on June 6, 1981 at The Salvation Army Long Beach Temple Corps. After marrying, they moved to Vancouver, WA and eventually the Portland, OR area. Together, they had a daughter, Amy Louise.

Miriam worked for a short time as a runway model and then as a secretary and bookkeeper – namely at the telephone company, the shipyard in Long Beach, and The Salvation Army Moore Street Corps in Portland. In 1986, she and Robert moved to Rancho Palos Verdes, California to attend the School for Officers Training, and were commissioned as Lieutenants in 1988. Together, they served as corps officers, ministering and helping those in need in the communities of Clovis, NM; Flagstaff, AZ; Hobbs, NM; Hayward, CA; Grass Valley, CA; Bend, OR; and at Cascade Divisional Headquarters in Happy Valley, OR. They retired with the rank of Major on August 1, 2015.

Miriam loved spending time with family, reading, playing board games, cooking, singing, crafts/sewing, and traveling.

Though retired, Miriam was still quite involved in the Clackamas Corps (formerly Portland Tabernacle), participating in Home League, Senior Groups, and Songsters. She also spent time praying and writing cards to those who requested prayer, even strangers.

Miriam is remembered by many as an encourager, a good listener, and someone who cared deeply for others.

Remaining to cherish Miriam’s memory are her husband of 44 years, Robert Keene; children, Peter Cassford (Zephanie), Richard Cassford(Heidi), and Amy Keene-Keebler (Matt); step-children, Mari Madsen (Jim) and David Gregg; grandchildren, Wesley (Jori), Nicole, Steven, Alana, Daisy, Lucy, Naomie, and Ben; great-grandson, Henry; brother, Clark John; sister, Karen Lewis; nephews, Paul Wolkersdorfer, Jeff Lewis, and Mark Wolkersdorfer; nieces, Marie Wolkersdorfer, Jennifer Loftus, and Heather Gow; and many other extended family members and friends.

Welcoming her in Heaven are her parents, Joyce and Mable John; in-laws, Majors Robert & Elizabeth Keene; sister, Sylvia Wolkersdorfer; best friend, Jackie Lamm; and many who have gone before.

Miriam’s Celebration of Life will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 4th, 2025, at The Salvation Army Clackamas Corps, 8495 SE Monterey Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086. Livestream, Meeting ID: 837 8674 4230 and Passcode: 1865. Private interment will be held at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, OR.

Flowers/arrangements may be sent to Stehn Family Chapels, 2906 SE Harrison St, Milwaukie, OR 97222