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Mary Keyes passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 24, 2023.

Mary is lovingly remembered by her husband of 62 years, Bob; children: Jim and Cathy Keyes, Connie and Jim Hollinsworth; grandchildren: Chelsey and Ryan Begall, Hailey Hollinsworth and Josh Buosi, Bree Hollinsworth and Sean Cuninghame, Marla Keyes and Dylan Brown; and great grand-daughter Clara Mary Begall. Mary is survived by her sister Elaine Walker, her brother Bob Monahan as well as in-laws Doris Monahan, Betty Gray, Verna and Jack Hughson and their families. She will also be missed by many close friends.

Mary grew up on the family farm in Matheson, Ontario. From an early age, she was known to handle a team of horses like a seasoned farmer. Mary began her teaching career there in a one room schoolhouse before marrying Bob and eventually settling in Manitouwadge, Ontario in 1965. There they raised their family, and Mary taught at Manitouwadge Public School until her retirement in 1997. Mary and Bob moved to Thunder Bay in 2000 to be closer to family. Mary always encouraged and supported everyone around her to reach for their dreams and this led to Playtime Stables. She helped with farm chores, horse shows, pony camps and some pretty wild horse adventures over the years and Playtime Stables remained her Happy Place.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street from 2-4 pm with tributes at 3 pm. Interment will take place at a later date.

Mary expressed many times the tremendous care and compassion she received. Her family wants to take this opportunity to thank the healthcare teams at Regional Cancer Care Northwest, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Home and Community Care Services, and most recently St. Joseph’s Hospice and Palliative Care. Their contributions over the last 10 years enabled Mary to continue to show her love and zest for life with family and friends.

If friends so desire and in lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory to the Northern Cancer Fund at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation would be appreciated.




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