KEAN, JERRY

November 8, 1941 - October 9, 2023

It is with great sadness and fond memories that we announce the passing of Jerry Kean at the Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony at the age of 81 years.

Jerry was born in Pound Cove, Bonavista Bay, NL on November 8, 1941.  His parents Cyril and Florence moved to Nobles Island, Quirpon, NL in 1948 and later moved to St. Anthony where he attended school. 

 Jerry was 5th in the family of 10 siblings. From a young age Jerry enjoyed playing the guitar and playing sports.

 He worked in Goose Bay, Frobisher Bay and with I.G.A in St. Anthony.  He met and married the love of his life, Virtue Sulley in March 1962.

 Together they had and raised 6 children Velma, Frank, Dana, Gordon, Trudi and Nicole. And later they welcomed 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

 Jerry worked 31 years with Grenfell Regional Health Services as a painter/plaster.  After he retired in 1997 he volunteered and played music for seniors, the church and local events.

 He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He loved his family and music and his family loved him.  Jerry was always playing musical instruments at his house. Whether he was playing a guitar, piano or listening to downloaded music, he had the most perfect way to express and calm the soul.

 “Music is the prayer the heart sings”.  “Where words fail, music speaks”.  

 He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Jerry leaves to mourn with a lifetime of fond memories, his Children: Madonna Dorothy Canning, Velma (Rod) Bown, Frank (Ruby), Dana (Sharon), Gordon, Trudi (Wade) Hiscock, Nicole (Bern) Johnson; Grandchildren: Matthew (Natasha), Deborah (Sheldon), Justin, Stacey (Gaylon), Ashley (Jordan), Jonathan (Lina), Amanda (Leslie), Brittany (AJ), Bernie, Joshua (Tyra), Marshall (JayLynn), Jessica (Jason), Rachel (Curtis); Great-grandchildren, Quinn, Alexis, Gemma, Blake, Noah, Xavier, Blaire, Luke, Braya, Jaxson, Jordyn, Jenna, Mylah; Siblings: Mildred Carter, Ben, Elizabeth (Wilfred) Boyd, Sophie (Calvin) White, Anne (Jim) Smyth, Rowena (Truman) Buckle, Jean (Levi) Reid, Joe (Angela), as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.

Jerry is predeceased by the love of his life: Virtue Kean; Parents: Cyril and Florence Kean; Mother and Father-in-law: Leander and Florence Sulley; Brother: Frank; Brother in-law: Eric Carter; Sister-in-law: Gladys Kean.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the Doctors, Nurses, and staff of the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital for their compassion and care over the past year.

Visitation to take place from Kerry M Fillatre Funeral Home in St. Anthony from 8-9 pm on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 and 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The funeral will take place on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 2:00 pm from the St. Anthony United Church. Cremation to follow, burial details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made of a charity of ones choice.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Kerry M. Fillatre Funeral Home, St. Anthony and Roddickton, Alicia Patey, Funeral Director.

KEAN, VIRTUE ETHEL

May 9, 1943 - July 21, 2020

Virtue Ethel (Sulley) Kean was born on May 9th, 1943 in St. Anthony, Newfoundland. Leander and Florence raised eight children, of which, Virtue was the youngest. Virtue often shared fond stories of her time with her grandparents during her summer visits to Raleigh.

In 1960 Virtue met the love of her life, Jerry Kean. He serenated her with his guitar playing skills and they married 2 years later in 1962. On March 28th, 2020 they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. In the years that followed they were blessed with a family of 6; 3 boys and 3 girls. Virtue has been known to share one of her favourite memories of Christmas mornings when all the kids would jump in bed with them and there would be fingers, toes, heads and tails everywhere. Today their family has grown to include 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

She was a fantastic painter and over the years she was called upon many times to use her artistic talents to help groups and organizations. She was awarded many certificates and plaques in recognition and appreciation of her work.

In 1974 Virtue began her employment with the International Grenfell Association, (later known as Grenfell Regional health services). She loved children and was the play therapist on Pediatrics for many years. She entertained and helped care for the many children who were far from home and spent months in hospital. You can imagine the mother figure she became to those children who were brought to the hospital without family. She played and cared for them as if they were her own. They sent her Christmas cards for years and we have heard her talk about them many times. She actually brought some children home to birthday parties and Christmas events which is an example of her kindness and interest in the well being of those children she cared for. Virtue had a keen interest in art and the walls on the Pediatric ward came alive with such characters as Snow White and the Seven dwarfs, Peter Pan, Big bird, etc. She took it upon herself to do far more than her job entailed planning and organizing many special events for the children and staff. Later on in her career, Virtue transferred to outpatient department receptionist and became well known to people within the region.

Virtue was an active volunteer within the community. She was a very religious lady who had a passion for her church and helped many times keep church while the minister was away. Virtue was a member of the choir, church board, the united church women’s group, hand bell choir and the Women’s Auxiliary. She spent many years as a guide leader and later was appointed regional Girl Guide commissioner of Canada. She was also actively involved in square dancing group. Virtue also volunteered at the Grenfell Heritage foundation day and the Grenfell ride yearly. It’s been fondly remarked that Virtue scrambled the eggs for many Grenfell riders.

Virtue enjoyed knitting and could be found most evenings rocking in her chair with a set of needles and a ball of wool. She loved to knit for her family turning out sweaters, hats, socks and mittens upon request. Some of her knitted items could be found at the United church UCW craft sales and the gift shop at the Curtis Memorial Hospital in aide of the Women’s Auxiliary.

Another hobby loved by Virtue was a good game of cards. Over the years, Virtue and Audrey could be found at the kitchen table playing; Rummoli, Skip-bo, 500’s and Queens, late into the evening. Virtue loved the outdoors and enjoyed walking and berry picking. She was an avid baker and well known for her delicious bread, cookies, cinnamon rolls and donuts. Above all Virtue’s most favourite thing was to listen to her husband play guitar and enjoy her family getting together for sing-a-longs.

Although Virtue is now with the Lord, she will be forever loved and missed dearly by her family and friends and will be forever held in their hearts.

Left with joyful memories of her zest for Life and love of family husband Jerry Daughters Velma (Rod) Bown, Trudi (Wade) Hiscock, Nicole (Bern) Johnson; Sons, Frank (Ruby), Dana (Sharon), Gord; Grandchildren, Matthew (Natasha), Deborah (Sheldon), Justin, Stacey (Gaylon), Ashley (Jordan), Jonathan (Lina), Amanda (Leslie), Brittany (AJ), Bernie, Joshua (Tyra), Marshall; great-grandchildren, Quinn, Alexis, Gemma, Blake, Noah, Xavier; Sister, Una (Garth) Newman; Brother-in-law, Mike Milner.

She was predeceased by her Parents, Leander and Florence Sulley; Sisters, Jessie Elliott, May Baikie, Hazel Milner, Irene Sulley; Brothers, Joseph Sulley and Stuart Hillier.

Private funeral to take place from Kerry M. Fillatre’s Funeral Home in St. Anthony at 8:00 pm with Rev. John Maich officiating. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Kidney Foundation. The funeral service will be streamed on Facebook at the Kerry M. Fillatre’s Funeral Home Facebook Group at 8:00 pm on Friday, July 24, 2020 with Rev. Maich officiating.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Kerry M. Fillatre’s Funeral Home, St. Anthony and Roddickton, Lee Nippard, Funeral Director.

KEAN, MARCELLA (MARCIE) ALMA KEAN

June 30, 1943 – April 15, 2020

“The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind”

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of a much cherished Mom at Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital at the age of 76. She will be sadly missed with loving memories by her Children: Terry (Nancy), Daisy (Ran), Pansy (Abiel), Edna (Tim), Trudy (Rol), and Connie (Guy); Grandchildren: Nadine (Calvin), Sabrina (Tim), Crystal (Michael), Jessica (Robert), Laura, Brayden, Chad, Ryan, and Adam; Adored Great-grandchildren: Sheyanne, Parker, Emily, Katie, and Clementine. She also leaves to mourn, her sister, Yvonne (Carl) and a large circle of family and friends, especially her very special friends at Shirley’s Haven, whom she loved dearly. Cremation has taken place. There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life at later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Kerry M. Fillatre’s Funeral Home, St. Anthony and Roddickton, Lee Nippard, Funeral Director.

Please respect the family’s wishes to refrain from posting and sharing her obituary on any social media platforms e.g. Facebook.

BLAKE, PATSY ELOS (nee Kean)

Passed away at Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital on December 4, 2019 at the age of 79 years.Patsy was born and raised in Quirpon. She married the love of her life, Ross and together they made a life in Quirpon with their eight children. Patsy was an incredibly strong and determined woman. She was widowed at a young age but that did not hinder her from focusing her efforts on raising her children. After retiring from the fish plant in St. Anthony, in recent years Patsy spent much of her time with her family in Alberta. She loved being able to spend time with her family and joining in on their many adventures. She had a zest for life and lived each day to the fullest, even during her time of illness. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her dearly. Patsy leaves to mourn with fond memories, daughters - Maxine (Ivan), Brenda (Lloyd), Bernice (Cory), Violet (Jason), Emma (Stan), Sheila (Jason), Sons - Claude and Shawn (Fawn). Sisters- Bernice (Stafford), Marcie, Mary, Peggy (Ambrose), Pamela (Gerald), Brothers - Vernon (Marie) and Christopher (Terry), Sisters-in-Law - Marcie and Yvonne, 12 Grandchildren, 7 Great-Grandchildren, special friend - Sharon and many extended family members and friends. Patsy was predeceased by Husband - Ross, Parents - Florence and Eli Kean, Brother - William and Brothers-in-Law- Lendo and Wilson. Patsy will rest at Central United Church, Quirpon. Visitation to take place Friday, December 6, 2019 from 7-9 pm, continuing on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 2-8 pm. Her funeral will take place on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 2 pm with internment to follow at Quirpon Community Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to K M Fillatres Funeral Homes, St. Anthony and Roddickton, Alicia Patey, Funeral Director