Leona Ketsa

Leona Ketsa passed away September 13, 2022, peacefully at Overlander with family by her side. Leona was born in Kamloops to Helen Barlog {born in Alberta} and Leo Barlog {born in Poland} . Leona lived in the community of Rayleigh for over 55 years and worked for North American Life until she retired and started look after the Lovell and Sorba kids. Leona had many hobbies from oil painting, ceramics, flower arranging but her favorite hobby was teaching the kids in the family or the neighbor's kids how to be artistic. Leona spent her early retirement years taking kids to all their activities and would be the loudest grandma at hockey games.

Leona loved to go camping, snowmobiling, playing cards or dice and her favorite was taking trips with her friends Cheryl, Mary and her best and longtime neighbors Brenda and Keith Chambers. Leona could not go a week without meeting her friends at the DQ and always looked forward to when it was Western Family Theater night. Leona is now in heaven with her husband and best friend George Ketsa, her two sisters Helen Barlog and Martha Buziak.

Leona a mother, Aunt, and friend is now looking over her daughter Angie Lovell and her three children Elana and Ria Lovell, Carlie and fiancé Mark, and Keegan. Leona cherished her niece and nephew Val and Steve Lemier and kids Adam and Nate, niece Lori and husband Mike Sorba and kids Ally Casey and MJ. Also leaving behind sister in-law Irene and Tom Anderson. Leona had many nieces and nephews, brothers and sister In-laws, cousins that she cherished with many incredible memories that words could not express the pride she had when talking about everyone.

Family would like to express gratitude and a huge thank you to all the 5N, social work and Rehab staff at Royal Inland Hospital. When my mom initially had her stroke. She had regained strength and continued her rehab at Overlander. Trying to overcome small strokes that followed made it difficult for her to mobilize and communicate at times. However, she always had a smile until the final stroke she was not able to recover from. Thank you to Overlander staff especially Gabe who could always make her smile and laugh. Thank you to the staff on Orchard Grove for making my mom's passing peaceful with family and her companion Bella by her side.

Family wishes everyone to join them in celebrating Leona Ketsa life. If she has touched your life, come celebrate. A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday September 22, 2022 at 11:00 am at Hillside Cemetery, with a Celebration of life at 12 (Noon) in the Schoening Funeral Chapel, followed by lunch with a wine toast. Leona would always want the party to continue so you are invited for a BBQ and drinks at Angie’s 4831 Aspen Park Dr.