Helen Keays

Mom was the cornerstone of our family and cherished the times that we were all together. Her grandchildren were very special to her; she spent time alone with each one of them. Taking them out for lunch, shopping, movies or just spending time talking. Summertime was spent in the backyard playing in the pool and singing songs. She made sure that they kept their T-Shirts on, on hot days, so they didn’t get sunburnt.

After Mom retired she was busy refinishing furniture and painting toy boxes for her grandchildren, each in their favorite color.

Mom was a good cook even though she didn’t like cooking, she made every meal to perfection, especially her fried chicken and cabbage rolls.

Some of her favorite things to do were scratch tickets with a good cup of coffee. Surprisingly, mom was obsessed with reality television, if she couldn’t watch it, she would tape it to watch it later. We all enjoyed the warmth of her Afghan scarfs, mitts, toques and dish cloths that she knitted or crocheted for us all.

Mom loved her pig collection, almost every birthday, Mother’s Day, or Christmas, she received some sort of pig figurine. She enjoyed drives in the country and pointed out all the red painted barns. She said it reminded her of her childhood. Being raised on a farm taught her a strong work ethic, which remained with her throughout her life.

Left to mourn her passing are her four daughters, their spouses, seven grandchildren and their spouses, and ten great-grandchildren.

We love you and will miss you beyond words.

Till we meet again.

Mom had requested no funeral, her ashes will be laid to rest at a later date.