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It is with great sadness that the family announces the sudden and unexpected death of Kasey Lee Hakala, born to parents Bonnie and Roy, on February 18, 1971 in Thunder Bay, ON.

Kasey grew up in Riverdale, spending her childhood along the banks of the Slate and Kaministiqua Rivers with sisters Shelley, Heidi and close-by cousins, Laura, Jay and Andrew Garnett. Kasey could always be found fixing and tinkering with things at a very young age in her Nanny and Grandpas garage which transcended all through her years. 

Kasey attended Riverdale and St. Ann Elementary Schools, Westgate High School and Stevenson Aviation Technical Training Centre in Manitoba. Upon graduation she worked for Thunder Bay Aviation, and then at Thunder Airlines for the past 19 years as an aircraft maintenance engineer specializing in structural repair. “She made it look so easy and her repairs were always a work of art”.

Kasey enjoyed many years dancing and travelling with the Chaban Ukrainian Dance Group, where she not only danced but volunteered many hours building sets and sewing costumes. She was engaged in her community, having received a Good Citizen Award for her distinguished contribution to the community of Thunder Bay.

Kasey was most at home in the outdoors where she spent her spare time trout fishing, open water diving, paragliding, ATVing, motorbiking, and other recreational activities, primarily in the Castle, Arrow and Sandstone Lake areas. 

Survived by parents Roy and Bonnie (nee McLean) Hakala, of Trout Creek, ON, sister Shelley Straughan (Andy) of Trout Creek, ON, sister Heidi Westwood (George) of Tlell, Haida Guaii, BC, nephew Hayden Straughan, niece Sadie Straughan, uncle Ian McLean, Windsor, ON, aunts Kathy Rodall (Dave) Prince George BC, and Judi McLean, Courtice, ON. Also survived by numerous cousins and extended family in Ontario, Western Canada and Finland. Predeceased by grandparents Hilja and Heikki Hakala, Ilean (nee Tozer) and Edmund McLean, uncles Wesley McLean, Chris McLean and aunt Debora Dumont (nee McLean).

The family would like to thank Dr. J Fulford for her years of compassionate care, the Thunder Bay Counselling Centre for their professionalism, and her Thunder Airlines work family for providing such an inclusive, non-judgemental and supportive workplace.

A Graveside Service will take place at 11:00 AM on Tuesday October 10, 2017 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, with a time of fellowship to follow at the Victoria Inn.




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