It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stella Carolyn Keenan, 80, of Thunder Bay on March 26, 2011.
Surrounded by her family, she passed away peacefully at home, after a brave and graceful battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Stella lived her life with strength, grace and humour. Blessed with an unassuming wit, she could have you laughing in tears after dropping a dry, one-liner. Stella surrounded herself with family and friends, and enjoyed skiing at Loch Lomond and Aspen.
An avid golfer, she played at the Thunder Bay Country Club and in Florida over many winters. Stella was blessed to be able to share many special summers with her children and grandchildren at the family camp at Shebandowan.
Stella is survived by her loving family: her husband of 58 years, Bob (Robert Douglas); and her four children, Carol (Scott) Brady (Coral Springs, FL), Bill Keenan (Anita Marcil) (Boca Raton, FL), Cathy (Dale) Chynoweth (Parkland, FL) and Bob Keenan (Barbara Tyson) (Vancouver, BC). Stella is further survived by her five grandchildren, in whom she took great pride and joy: Justine, Kirsi and David Keenan, and Kyle and Kristi Chynoweth. She is also survived by Lynda (Rick) Anderson, Kathy (Ernie) O’Kell and Gary (Lorraine) Ohlgren and other family members. Stella was predeceased by her parents, Karl and Katherine Iwasiw and her sister Anne Ohlgren, all of whom emigrated from the Ukraine in the 1920’s.
Stella received an incredible standard of care from the medical community in Thunder Bay. A most sincere thanks for service above and beyond the call of duty goes out to the staff at Bayshore Services, Shoppers Home Health Care, the VON support team, and Stella’s friends at St Joseph’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation centre.
Stella was further blessed with exceptional in-home care from her “special angels” Marlo, Cindy and Jocelyn. Her level of comfort and care would not have been possible without the in-home, dedicated assistance of these three incredibly caring, talented and gifted people. Stella was further blessed to have support, care and love in her final days from a large group of family and friends, both near and far.
Finally, the Keenan family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Kennedy for his exceptional dedication and compassion in caring for Stella, especially over the past several months.
A big “hug from the heavens” goes out to Rev. Hugh MacDonald for his loving, caring support at this difficult time for our family. His timely visits left Stella in a calm, peaceful state during her final days.
We will remember Stella as a truly beautiful person who deeply loved life and nature. A loving mother and grandmother, caring wife and trusted friend, she will be deeply missed and will smile forever in our hearts.
Funeral Services will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2011 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, officiated by Rev. Hugh MacDonald. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, March 31, 2011, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street.
Should friends desire, memorial donations to St Joseph’s Foundation dedicated to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
Online condolences may be offered at
www.harbourviewfuneral.ca
