Everyday People: Events coordinator keeps things humming at Patriot Hall

Paul Matli, The Daily Astorian, Ore.
·2 min read

In Helen Keefe’s office at Clatsop Community College in Astoria, there is a pickleball paddle, photos of youth teams, thank-you notes and a weekly schedule of everything she needs to do.

Keefe may not always be seen, but her impact is felt. The events coordinator at Patriot Hall is in charge of juggling all the activities at the multipurpose community space, from basketball practices and job fairs to Pi Day and high school proms.

Helen Keefe

Helen Keefe and her husband, Pat, with their son, David, during his Senior Day in 2019.

Keefe coordinates with Teena Toyas, the interim college president, to make sure operations run smoothly. “Pretty much whatever she needs me to do or asks me to do, I will do it,” she said.

A fourth-generation Oregonian, Keefe was born and raised in Newport and moved to Astoria in 2002 for her husband’s job. Pat Keefe is a physics teacher at the college. Together, the couple raised four children: Shawna, David, Malachi and Torin.

During David’s time at Astoria High School, Keefe would often drive her son and his friends to football practice and help out at track and field events. She and her husband still attend Fishermen football games on Friday nights.

Keefe has a background in business administration and worked in insurance and health care before starting at the college several years ago.

She has served as one of the middle school and high school volleyball referees. “It’s so difficult to find people who are willing to do it and on my first day (Teena) asked me to help out and I still do it now,” she said.

The role at the college has been a departure from her previous experience, but she finds it rewarding. One of the things she enjoys is spending time with and mentoring the work-study students who help out at Patriot Hall.

“I did strategic planning for a hospital and then was vice president of an insurance company,” she said. “I would come here and work for free. This is a dream job. I think it’s the best job on campus ... it’s a huge change from what I was previously doing.

“Even though there’s reports to be done and projects to do, every day you’re in the gym. Everyday I can play pickleball and interact with people in the cardio room and on the track.”

Keefe has spent time outside of Oregon during her life, but she said being close to the water has always been a draw.

“I always say when you go to Astoria or Newport, you’re running from something or running to something. And I’m running to the ocean,” she said. “When I’m on the ocean I feel settled, and the Columbia River is just close enough that I feel settled here.”