Born on March 24, 1944, in Omaha, Nebraska, Keep received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Literature in 1966 from Scripps College.

After graduation, she moved to San Diego and taught English at the Bishop's School in La Jolla.

She also was appointed by Chief Justice William Rehnquist to the Defender Services Committee of the JCUS in 1998 and served through 2004.

Keep made a significant contribution to court governance as a member of the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit for eight years.

[6] She is survived by her loving husband, Russell Block, and many dear friends and family in San Diego.