Geraldine Anne Marie Keith (née Buhr)
August 17, 1951 – January 15, 2018
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Geraldine (Gerry) Keith, (née Buhr).
Gerry leaves behind her four children Shannon, Holly, Graham (Amber), and Chelsea; grandchildren Aiden, Kingston, Emma, and Jack; brother Michael (Trish); sister-in-law Susan Burns (Ron), as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Gerry was predeceased by her parents; father Ed in 1977, and mother Huguette (née Vigier) in 1999; brother Dan in 1993, and husband Murray in 2017.
Mom was born in 1951, the eldest child of Ed and Huguette Buhr. Mom was soon joined by brothers Dan and Michael. They lived on a farm north of Selkirk, and Mom always had funny and interesting stories about life on the farm. As a girl, Mom enjoyed spending time with the animals and working in the gardens: two passions she would carry with her all of her life.
Mom had grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in Notre Dame des Lourdes and Rosenfeld, MB, and grew up visiting with them often. She had many heartwarming stories to tell about her relatives, and it was clear that they were a close, loving family. Mom spent a lot of time with her Vigier and Augert aunts, uncles, cousins and Vigier grandparents as a child, and stories about her “Granny” Vigier’s kindnesses and love for Mom were always wonderful to listen to.
Mom met Dad in 1972 and the two fell immediately head over heels in love. Within a year, they married and bought a home in Selkirk. Mom was a stay at home mom for all of her four children, and we all have fond memories of her well stocked lunch bags handed off to us each morning, and her smiling face at the door when we came home, eager to know what we had learned that day.
Once her kids were grown, Mom pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher by going back to university. While still working a full-time job as a paraprofessional at River East Collegiate, she went to university on the weekends for five years. We were so proud when she graduated with her Bachelor of Education, and thrilled when she became a Home Economics teacher at John Pritchard Junior High. Mom taught for 15 years before retiring at 65, and truly enjoyed the experience.
Mom loved summers and spent countless hours in the dirt, creating magnificent gardens both at home and at the cabin. She loved the tranquility and nature of the woods, and surrounded the cabin with huge flower beds that she was always complimented on. The time spent at the cabin with her family and beloved pets Katie, Gina, and Kitten were amongst her fondest memories.
From a young age, Mom enjoyed travelling and experiencing the world. Whether it was road trips to visit relatives in Manitoba, or to Mexico in high school, she loved it all. Mom was fortunate to have gone on two trips to Mexico with Dad, to France and Belgium in 2011, and, most recently, Arizona in the fall of 2017 with Michael and Trish. She couldn’t stop talking about how great Arizona was and what a wonderful trip she had, so we are very grateful to our aunt and uncle for giving her one last big adventure.
Mom was a proud parent who enjoyed celebrating our successes and helping us through our failures. She was a constant positive presence in our lives. Mom was also a proud Nana to her four grandchildren, and constantly found new ways to spoil them. Ever the teacher, Mom always encouraged them to read and to learn as much as they could.
The void left in our lives by Mom’s passing will never be filled, but we are so thankful and happy to have had such a caring and wonderful woman as our mom. We love you Mom, always and forever.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff in the ICU at St. Boniface Hospital for their excellent care and tremendous compassion, especially nurse Isabella, who was with us when we said goodbye to Mom.
Cremation has taken place; a Mass celebrating Mom’s life will be held at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, 269 Jemima St, Selkirk, on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. Flowers are gratefully declined; in lieu, we ask that you consider donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or Diabetes Canada, in honour of Mom.
Condolences may be left at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Geraldine Gerry Anne Marie Keith January 15 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Selkirk, Province: Manitoba
