MARY FLORENCE KEELAN

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MARY FLORENCE KEELAN The last of a generation of a proud Canadian family died at her home on Canada Day. Mary Florence Keelan, the second of six children, was born on October 31, 1920 in Prelate, SK to Florence and John Joseph Keelan. John Joseph, a lawyer, would become the MLA for Happyland in 1925. Mary started out early on a life that has been full of adventure, knowledge and passionate interests. The family moved to Regina in 1937 and Mary took a job in Calgary. Her great adventure began when she accepted a secretarial position in Washington, DC and was sent to China in 1946 with UNRRA, the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, an organization that returned displaced persons and refugees to their home countries. Mary worked in China for a year and returned through Hong Kong, Singapore, then to Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland. On her return from China, she joined the Great West Life Insurance Company, eventually becoming executive secretary to the vice president and finally the librarian. She retired in 1983. Throughout much of her life her energies were devoted to her family. Her father died when she was 26 and as the oldest girl she became a support for members of her family, some elderly or in poor health, at some sacrifice of her own dreams. She contributed outside her family to her church, Meals on Wheels and financially to several charities. She also lived a life full of friends, familial affection, travel and wide interests. She was a competitive golfer and a member of the Charleswood Golf and Country Club until its demise. She was also an excellent curler and competed in championships in Winnipeg and Ottawa. She continued to travel and visited Europe, the West Indies, the US, and went on cruises, often in the company of other independent women in her extended family - especially her younger sister Betty Keelan and sister-in-law Patricia Keelan. There were summers at Victoria Beach and visits to relatives across the country. Especially in her retirement years, she was a subscriber to the ballet, the theatre and the symphony. Mary will be mourned by her nephews and nieces, not only as the last of her generation but as a respected elder. She had an open and enquiring mind and a lively interest in life, sharing the family passion for politics and sport. She was steady and moderate in her actions and opinions. In a family sometimes given to excess in argument and debate, she was restrained and thoughtful. She had a great interest in her nephews and nieces and loved to hear the particulars of their lives. In turn she was beloved for her interest, her generosity, the giving of herself so unstintingly to those who needed her. Her younger relatives came from all over the continent to visit her, enjoying her company and her interest in the wide world. They learned much from her on the conduct of an honourable life. Mary had sixteen nieces and nephews - her brothers' children. Patrick's children are Joanne, Mike, Ron, Patrick and Maureen Keelan. Richard's daughter is Sheilagh Marie Keelan. Lawrence's children are Leslie Taylor, Valerie Harrison, Julie, David, Tom and Dan Keelan. Gerard's children are Rosemary, Margaret, John (deceased) and Bryan Keelan. All who knew her will miss her sadly. Dear Mary, requiescat in pace. A funeral mass will be held at St. John Brebeuf Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Place at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 6, 2006. Instead of flowers please make a contribution to Cancer Care. THOMSON IN THE PARK FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY 1291 MCGILLIVRAY BLVD. (BETWEEN PEMBINA WAVERLEY) 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2006