Jeannie M. van Keule
1946-2021
It is with profound sadness that the family of Jeannie Marie van Keule
(nee Cullen) of Sylvan Lake, Alberta announce her passing on July 20,
2021 at the age of 74.
Jeannie was born in Bath, New Brunswick on October 28, 1946 to Peter
and Frances (Kinney) Cullen.
She grew up in Johnville, New Brunswick and attended school there and
in Bath. As an adult, she completed her high school education and
attended Woodstock Community College excelling in both the Home Health
Care and Human Services Counselling programs.
Jeannie and Laurens (Larry) van Keule were married on February 7,
1969. Over the years the family grew to include cherished children:
Jody, Peter, Rens, and Tilly. They and their family would go on to
call New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta home.
Through all of their travels, Jeannie particularly loved time spent in
Holland with extended family and so enjoyed their visits to Canada
… she spoke of them often.
Although she always considered being a mom and wife her main calling
and most important focus in life, after their children grew, she
worked for years in both Home Care and as a Nursing Home Care
provider. Her kind heart, compassion, and gentle touch made her a
natural fit to work with the elderly … she loved them. Becoming
a grandmother was such an incredible joy for Jeannie..and boy did she
love the grandchildren! She had such a soft spot for the young and
not-recently-young and loved the company of both.
An accomplished seamstress, she made many beautiful costumes, outfits,
and quilts for family, friends, and special occasions over the years.
She was a wonderful cook and with just basic ingredients, Jeannie
could whip up a feast in no time flat. She was not only nimble of
finger, but also light of foot … her home would be spotless and
she’d have the laundry on the clothesline often before some of
us climbed out of bed in the morning! The coffee/tea was always on
for friends and neighbours…the door was always open to those in need
of a listening ear, a word of encouragement, or a good visit. She gave
good advice … but only when asked. Her children’s friends
were always welcome and she loved to hear their noise and
laughter.
Bingo, puzzles, browsing at yard sales, old books, quilting bees,
nature (except she was NOT a fan of birds) and a rousing game of cards
were some of the many things she enjoyed. She LOVED stories …
both old and new …and the funnier the better. (What an
incredible sense of humour she had – oh how we will miss that
laugh!)
A devout Christian her entire life, Jeannie’s love of Jesus, and
her trust in the intercessions of Mary, His Mother, carried her
through life’s losses, sicknesses, challenges, and joys. She
continually and quietly prayed for her family and everyone she
knew….especially those in need and those who have no one to pray for
them. The Rosary was her constant in life. She had a keen eye for
the less fortunate and made special efforts on their behalf at every
opportunity.
Quiet and unassuming, small of stature but large in spirit, Jeannie
was a graceful, hard-working, generous, and joyful gift from God to
those fortunate enough to have called her Wife, Mom, Grandma, Sister,
Aunt, Family, Neighbour or Friend. She was a loving wife, a proud
mom, and a doting grandmother.
She will be sadly missed by her husband of 52-plus years Larry, and
children Peter (Tasha) and Tilly (Trevor). Grandchildren Marik &
Nick and Rainier & Hadleigh
Siblings: Theresa Denny, Jim (Eileen) Cullen, George (Lois) Cullen,
Patricia (Eamonn) Brennan, Dennis Cullen, Kevin (Cathy) Cullen,
Sandra (Jim) Sopko and sister-in-law Marla Cullen.
Brothers and Sisters in Law in Holland: Wil van Keule, Gerda van
Keule, Renée van Keule, Peter van Keule, Ingrid Van Keule-van
Deursen, Marion Steijn-van Keule, and Gerard Steijn.
Also cherishing her memory are many nieces, nephews, great nieces,
great nephews, and friends far and wide.
Predeceased by her sons Jody and Rens, her parents, parents-in-law,
brothers Emery, John, Patrick Joseph, Doug (and his daughters Jo-Ann
and Beth-Ann) and her brother-in-law Ron Denny,
her life-long friend Juanita (Hall) McMann and special grammie Matilda
Kinney.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 30, 2021
at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of The Assumption Catholic Church in Sylvan
Lake, Alberta. Interment of ashes, as well as the ashes of son Rens
van Keule, will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery in Sylvan Lake
immediately after the Funeral Mass. A time of fellowship will
follow.
In lieu of donations in Jeannie’s memory, her family asks that
you do a kindness for someone less fortunate or someone in need, at
every opportunity.
One of Jeannie’s precious sayings: “People rarely
remember what you say, may not remember what you do, but will always
remember how you made them feel”
May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jeannie van Keule 19462021..
Death notice for the town of: Florenceville-Bristol, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick