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PHYLLIS KEEPER THE REVEREND CANON DOCTOR
Born: Aug 30, 1934
Date of Passing: May 22, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryPHYLLIS KEEPER THE REVEREND CANON DOCTOR On Thursday, May 22, 2014, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away. Remaining to mourn for her, and to cherish her memory is her husband Joseph, daughters; Christina and Joy, sons; Lorne (Florence) and Barry (Susan), grandchildren; Jerry (Aimee), Norton, Joey (Lonna), Timmy, Craig, Jonny, Elie, Isaac, Jesse, Ozzie, Dylan, Russell, Christina, Meghan, Marina, great-grandchildren; Amethyst, Skye, Ava, Brendan, Grayson, Torin, brothers; Gordon and Cyril, sisters; Ida and Dora (Charlie) along with many, many relatives, dear friends and colleagues. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents; The Reverend Eliezer Beardy and Madeline (nee Cromarty), her brothers; The Reverend Absalom Beardy, The Reverend Thomas Beardy, Morris Beardy, Thomas Green, and her sister Lavena Martha Kakepetum. Phyllis was born on August 30, 1934 in Big Trout Lake, Ontario. She grew up in Northern Ontario, living with her parents until she went to residential school at the age of seven; Pelican School, Sioux Lookout and Shingwauk School, Sault Ste. Marie during 1941 to 1949. She then took practical nurse training in Sudbury until moving to Winnipeg in the early 1950s. It was there she met her husband Joseph and they were married in Winnipeg on September 1, 1959. In the early 1970s, she became involved in community and social development work with families, working out of Norquay School in the Point Douglas area with the Winnipeg School Division, and later with Stella Mission of the United Church. Phyllis was a member of the Anglican Church of Canada, and her basic values, beliefs and love for people is rooted in her Christian faith. She had devoted her life and energies to the care of her family and others who came into the areas of her concern. She always believed in the basic goodness of all people, and has used this belief as one of the guiding principles of her life. Phyllis went on to become a chaplain to work in hospitals, and an ordained priest in the Anglican Church. She was involved with others in the development of St. Helen's Church in the north end of Winnipeg where she worked until her retirement in the mid 1990s due to ill health. She continued to volunteer in many different activities, true to her lifelong community commitment; over the years she had been involved in the development of the Agape Table, Winnipeg Harvest, and for 10 years, she and elder sisters' made bannock to feed the gathering at the Forks after the annual Mother's Day Sisters in Spirit Walk. She always worked with various outreach programs of the Church including hospital visits, the Sharing Circle, and one activity very close to her heart was St. Matthews Sewing Circle - it was a weekly opportunity to visit, share food, to work and enjoy. In the forefront of her caring was her family, particularly her children and grandchildren. Her life can best be described in 1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." We are deeply thankful to Dr. Alojz Pacin, and to the nursing and health care aid staff at the Victoria Hospital for their kindness and care of our beloved Phyllis Keeper. Viewing and prayers will be held from 7:00 -10:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave. across from Brookside Cemetery. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a,m,, Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at the St. John's Cathedral, 135 Anderson Ave., with burial at Brookside Cemetery. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 26, 2014
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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Phyllis had the kind of presence that one does not forget. She was a few years older than me, but I looked up to her. Even back then, she had a quiet confidence, a gentle way. God bless her soul, and her family. - Posted by: Romane Williams (Friend from chuldhood) on: Jan 07, 2020
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It is with deepest sadness to read of your mother’s passing. As I sat and read of it, a flood of joyous memories came back to me. I was eleven when Phyllis and Joe came to live in the suite upstairs from me and my Grandparents on Young Street. When Barry was born Phyllis gently taught me how to perfectly care for a new life. As time went by, Phyllis would teach me many more important life lessons that a young girl should know. How blessed I was. I cherish the memory of Phyllis coming down to have toast & tea with us and of the wonderful talks she and my grandparents would have. The teapot was always on, Phyllis poured the tea. She called my Grandma, Mom, as Phyllis was like a daughter to them. To this day, I can still see Phyllis standing there at the two burner gas stove, cooking with the frying pan. She cut me a piece of what she had made and said, "would you like to try a piece of bannock"? I was so intrigued with how she created that bannock in a frying pan, so much so, that the memory of her preparing it has stayed with me. The beautiful handmade gifts that Phyllis gave me (she said that her mother had made them especially for me) were invaluable treasures, and I still have them. Oh yes, the grilled cheese sandwiches with blueberry jam on top that Phyllis introduced us to, my family still enjoy them today, as do I. The ways that Phyllis showed her kindness and thoughtfulness to everyone was to be admired. Phyllis, a gentle and soft spoken woman with a beautiful smile remains imprinted in my memory. I am so grateful to God for sharing a small piece of Phyllis’s life with us. Phyllis will always be close in memory. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Joe and family. Donna (Stewart) Coffell and Dan Coffell - Posted by: Donna (Stewart) Coffell and Dan Coffell (Friends) on: Jul 07, 2014
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My heartfelt condolences to the Keeper Family. I only recently learned of your loss. My memories of Phyllis Keeper are of love, wisdom and comfort. Her first thought was always of love and genuine concern for all. I am grateful for the wonderful experience of knowing how giving she was. - Posted by: Barbara Kaempf (Family Friend) on: Jun 27, 2014
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My sincere condolences to the Keeper Family. As a young person, I had attended the community services that Stella Mission had to offer. One of the programs that I attended was a Wednesday club for young girls where Phyllis was our snack provider. She made the best snacks and I could tell she truly enjoyed the conversations with all of us young girls. We were so impressionable and she provided us with the guidance that we needed in our lives. Stella Mission was truly a saviour for me and Phyllis was a huge part of it. Take care. - Posted by: Kathleen Pellerin (known as Kathy Bruce) (friend) on: May 29, 2014
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Our heartfelt condolences to Joe, Joy, Tina, Lorne and Barry and all the grandkids. - Posted by: Jim and Karen Wastasecoot (family friends) on: May 28, 2014
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Condolences to your family. I appreciate the truly inspirational example you set for all with love and laughter. Our memories are full and we are grateful. - Posted by: Sandra DeLaronde () on: May 26, 2014
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