A little bit about Jeff and Lo…
No one can spread love, acceptance, beauty, humor, and community like Jeff Kehoe and Lo Whipple. Anyone who has been embraced by their open hearts and spirit knows they are very fortunate to know them.
Lo has a special gift of nurturing people as if they are her own family. It is beautiful to watch, and even more beautiful to feel. She is a bright light in this world. Even in her professional life, she spreads beauty, cheer, love, and togetherness as an exceptional florist.
Always giving back to the community, Lo got her name Lotanga while providing children’s programs on health and nutrition, and taught animation and did fun storytelling at local Austin Montessori schools.
Jeff has a HUGE, fun, friendly, gregarious personality and makes friends wherever he goes. Always quick with a joke or impression, he keeps the energy rolling with his humor.
He is an avid member of the nonprofit organization The Ian Fleming Foundation, which is dedicated to the study and preservation of Ian Fleming’s creative works, including James Bond novels, films, and media, providing scholarships and endowments through procuring, restoring, and preparing vehicles used in the 007 James Bond legacy. Jeff brings his fun personality and ingenuity to the group.
Jeff worked for the television show Austin City Limits for many years, since its conception, as well as KXAN, and Austin Kite Festival. He spent his spare time giving back to the community by visiting Dell Children’s Hospital dressed as Batman to entertain the children. He is a passionate animal lover and dog rescuer.
Jeff and Lo have lived in Austin for 34 years, have many lifelong and new friends, and have cemented themselves as vital and beloved members of our community.
AND NOW THEY NEED OUR HELP.
What happened…
Lo was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2024. She underwent a difficult treatment of a lumpectomy followed by radiation, and thankfully was in remission and cancer-free by March! Please remember to get your cancer screenings.
Jeff had never smoked a day in his life but has always suffered from bad allergies (Thanks, Austin!) and has had to use inhalers to control the symptoms. In April, Lo and Jeff began to notice Jeff getting weaker and his symptoms getting worse. In the early morning of May 5th, Jeff was not acting normal and having some cognitive issues. Lo called 911, and Jeff was put in ICU for 3 weeks until they felt he was well enough to recover and rehabilitate at home. Within 2 days at home, his health seriously declined, and he returned to ICU. He has now gone through multiple lung surgeries, had a collapsed lung, had to be intubated until his lungs started working on their own, and complicated sepsis pneumonia.
Jeff is no longer in ICU but has lost a lot of strength and needs to enter into a rehabilitation facility to regain his body strength and health. There has been progress, and he is trying his hardest to fight this unfortunate series of events.
Where we are now…
Mounting debilitating medical and rehabilitation bills have caused a great financial hardship on the Kehoe Whipple family. With Lo trying to stay by her husband’s side as much as possible, work for both of them, and lost wages from taking time off work, keeping up with incoming bills, mortgage, and skyrocketing property taxes, they are in danger of losing their home and could use some help keeping their heads above water.
I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU, OUR COMMUNITY, FOR HELP.
If you have ever had the pleasure of knowing Lo or Jeff, I hope you will consider donating whatever you can to help them stay on their feet during this difficult time. Anything will help.
Jeff and Lo need some angels right now, and that’s us.
I love you all,
Elizabeth K. Graves
Please spread the word and share!
