Obituary of Mary McKeen

McKeen (O'Neill), Mary Elizabeth - Passed away on October 6th, 2014 at the age of 89. Born in Enfield on July 9th, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Russell and Christena (Teen) (King) O'Neill. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family; predeceased by brothers Tony, Ralph, Leo and Gerald; sisters Theresa Bowers, Sophie Ledwidge Cheaters, Anna Carroll, Chris Lightle-Wiles. She was also predeceased by husband H. Alex McKeen (1994), son Russell Alexander (1967), daughter Kathy Louise Brown (2005) and granddaughter Rebecca Lynn White (1974). She is survived by daughters Marie McKeen, Christine (Wayne) MacAskill , Michelle (Peter) White all of Enfield, Eleanor (Bill) Clarke of Popes Harbour; sons James (Brad Willett) of Halifax , Alan (Louise) and Thomas of Enfield; son-in-law David Brown and former son-in-law Wade White. Grandchildren Nicole (Craig) O'Brien, Karen (Kevin) Shaw, Alex (Sheena) MacAskill, Kevin (Marianne) White, Kendall (Staci) MacAskill, Leah McKeen (Josh Nash), Samantha McKeen (Wes Pynn), Jodi White, Matthew McKeen (Heather LeCain), Trevor White, Daniel Clarke, Ian White and Sarah Clarke (Nick Leonard). Great Granchildren Jordan and Zachery Shaw, Dylan White, Landon and Avery MacAskill, Emma McKeen, Myla and Connor MacAskill. Step-grandchildren Ashley, Austin and Makayla. She will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews and their families, some who considered her a surrogate mother. She was involved in many community organizations; most notably Guiding Movement (retired as Tri-County Division Commissioner); Charter Member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133 Ladies Auxiliary; Charter Member of Enfield Branch of Women's Institute of Nova Scotia and Enfield Heritage Centre; HERH Home and School Association; and St. Bernard's Choir and CWL. Visitation will be Friday, October 10th after 4 pm, followed by prayers at 8 pm; with funeral mass at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, October 11th, 2014 both at St. Bernard's Church, Enfield, NS. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Broadcasting Corporation (Daily Mass) or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. The family would like to thank Dr. Iain MacNeil, Dawn Martell (RN) CEHHA Palliative Care and VON Continuing Care Services for all the support they gave to our mother and the family; it is greatly appreciated. Arrangements under the direction of Ettinger Funeral Home, Shubenacadie.