DOROTHY OLIVE KEELEY (TARRANT)

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DOROTHY OLIVE KEELEY (TARRANT) November 7, 1922 - April 6, 2012 Dorothy Keeley passed away in her room at Misericordia Place peacefully and surrounded by family. Mom was born in Horsham, Sussex, England and landed in Halifax on The Aquitania on July 27, 1946 as a young war bride with her two sons and then settled in Winnipeg where her and dad had six more children. Mom was predeceased by both of her parents; brothers Dennis, Reg and Boy; sister Margaret; husband Leonard; youngest son Garry, and daughter Beth (who would have been first in line to welcome her to Heaven). Mom is survived by sons Brian (Esther), Leonard, Hugh (Linda) and Robin and daughters Sylvia and Debbie (Joe). She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; her brother Robin and nieces and nephews in England. Mom lived her life for her kids and as the foundation of our family, was the strongest person we know. Each of us kids has so much of her in us and we are thankful for that. She raised us to know right from wrong, made us use our manners and gave us the ability and knowledge to raise our kids right. There was never a lot of money, but mom never allowed us to feel poor. She knew how to stretch a dollar and a banana (inside joke) and always said that if any of us came upon hard times, that her kids would know how to survive. We loved it when mom would make us homemade fries to fill our tummy; of course at the time we didn't know it was because potatoes were the one thing we had a lot of because of dad's garden and they were filling. Mom was also known for her cinnamon buns, homemade bread, stew and of course her rice pudding. Mom spent most of her years as a homemaker, but did do embroidery work on sweaters for Knit Rite Mills at home and also did some housekeeping work for others. Mom had a great love for tigers and her home was filled with many an ornament, clock, ceramics, and pictures and always a tiger calendar, and this carried over to her room at the care home. Mom also loved playing bingo and for a few years prior to being in the care home, played on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Legion #90. Mom had many, many challenges in her life and fought them head on and if necessary would always put her kids first. She was not only mom to her kids, but all of us are proud to say that all of our friends also called her mom or Mom Keeley. She would take the time to talk to anyone who needed her and there are countless people who can tell you about many conversations they have had with her, advice she has given them and the love they have for her. Mom also loved spending time with her grandkids colouring, talking, playing, riding the buses, going to the zoo and loved babysitting them, and she passed on to them the same morals and strengths as she did to us kids. The family would like to thank John Officer who has always been there for our family and who joined us at our private family gathering to celebrate mom's life. The family would also like to thank mom's other family at Misericordia Place MP3 who not only cared for her but truly loved her and whose favourite word to describe mom was feisty! The number of workers who came in to say goodbye to mom, the stories they told and the tears they shed was a true testament to how they felt and the family can not thank them enough! We had many family gatherings at the care home and they were always a loud, happy time. Cremation has taken place and interment will follow at a later date at Brookside Cemetery. So, how do you say goodbye to this wonderful woman? - You Don't Because You Can't!! Mom will be with us every day of our lives as she is such a huge part of us and we are who we are because of her. Rest In Peace Mom / Grandma, We Will Love You Forever!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2012