Jeannie Marie van Keule

In Loving Memory Of Jeannie Marie 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 Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at the age of 74 years. 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. Jeannie, Laurens 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 also 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. As 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 and 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 lovingly remembered by her husband of 52-plus years, Larry, and children, Peter (Tasha) and Tilly (Trevor), her grandchildren, Marik and Nick and Rainier and Hadleigh. She will also be deeply missed by her 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. As well as her 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. Jeannie was predeceased by her sons, Jody and Rens, her parents, her parents-in-law, her 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 gremmie, Matilda Kinney. A 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 at Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Interment of the cremated remains, as well the cremated remains of son, Rens van Keule, will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery, Sylvan Lake immediately after the Funeral Mass. A time of fellowship will follow. In Lieu of Memorial Donations in Jeannie’s memory, her family asks that you give kindness to 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’ Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.