Aug 15, 1914 – Aug 10, 2014
Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on August 10th, 2014 at Concordia Hospital, just 5 days before her 100th birthday celebration. We are so blessed to have had her with us for so long.
Helen was born in Edson, Alberta to William and Elizabeth McKeever, the youngest of 7 children. She had a great childhood in this small railroad town and told many tales of escapades with her lifelong best friend Kathleen Christie. She also loved hockey and played on Edson’s first women’s hockey team in the 1930’s - a team who claimed 2 Alberta championships in 1937. She met Bernard when he was posted to Edson in the late 1930’s by the Imperial Bank of Canada. After a long engagement (the bank did not allow marriage until you were earning a certain salary), they finally married September 3/41. Over the next 8 years, 3 children were born, John, Lynda and Bill, as Dad was transferred to various branches in Alberta and Manitoba, ending up in Transcona in 1956 where Dad opened the Imperial and later CIBC branch. Helen was a dedicated, selfless
mother, a supportive and loving wife, and a loving grandmother to 8 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren (“another one every time I turn around!”). She was very involved with United Church Women at Transcona Memorial United Church until she became too frail, curled with enthusiasm, was a master seamstress, amazing knitter and crocheter and enjoyed all her various crafts , happily learning new ones each time she and Bern wintered in Mesa, Ariz.
Helen was a shy, gentle woman, but somehow managed to keep us all in line with just a “look” – a talent she failed to pass on to her children. An infamous “back seat drive” she managed to seamlessly transfer this talent to her wheelchair, continuing to instruct and direct those pushing her chair. She was a dear, lovely person, modest, humble and beautiful. We loved our wife and mother so, and will miss her always.
Surviving are her loving, devoted husband, Bernard, her 3 children, John, and his daughters Gwenda and Cheryl and their families; Lynda and her sons Kirk and Tod and their families; and Bill (wife Nancy, and their children Michael, Pamela, Brad and Kim and their families. As well she leaves her nieces Joan Worth and Betty Dunsworth. She was predeceased by her sisters, Mary, Carrie and Peggy and her brothers Arnold, Cliff and Webb, as well as her son-in-law Ajmal Mohamed and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Hubert.
We would like to thank Dr. I. Mohammed for his years of care of Helen and also the staff at Kildonan Personal Care Centre for their professional, kind and tender care of Helen over the past several years.
A funeral service took place Wednesday, August 20th at 10:00 at Transcona Memorial United Church, 209 Yale Avenue West, Transcona, with Rev. Jeff Cook conducting the service.
In lieu of flowers, if desired, contributions may be made to your favourite charity.
Rest in peace dear Mother and say hello to the McKeever clan for us.
GREEN ACRES
Funeral Home and Cemetery
(204) 222-3241
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