Isabel Keast

Isabel Marie Greenwood was born September 28, 1928 to Rachel (Brown) and Robert Greenwood at Assiniboia Hospital. Her journey ended November 3, 2021 at Assiniboia Hospital, 93 years later. She grew up on a farm five miles north of Coronach until her mother’s deteriorating health forced the family to move to BC in search of a cure. The healing waters of Soap Lake, Washington and the clinic of Shrag doctors (brothers) cured her paralysis. The family returned after a year in Vancouver to the farm. Life on the farm was a lot of work for all, but it involved a lot of laughter and shenanigans, like the day she and her friend Joan rerouted the survey stakes for a road that ran between their farms. To this day, we’re not sure if the curve for the correction line is their doing or not. Isabel moved to Coronach to complete her high school, then moved to Regina to work for the Wheat Pool and Simpson Sears. She lived with Alice Keast, who worked for the competitor, Eaton’s.

After the war, Isabel met the love of her life, Cecil Keast, and they married in 1948. Her new career began in the post office working alongside Cecil, and she continued in the post office for 45 years. Cecil retired from the post office in 1978, leaving it in Isabel’s hands, and opened an accounting office across the street in what is now The Whistlestop. Of course, when Isabel retired from the post office, she moved across the street to again work alongside her husband until at the age of 83 she and Cecil both retired. Although that retirement only meant that they didn’t go into the office any more, they still did accounting at home, and were called upon by various citizens and groups for advice.

Coming from the farm, Isabel had a love of animals, and there was always at least one four-legged friend in the house.

Isabel took an oil painting class at age 50 and discovered a love and exceptional talent for painting. The wolf that is on the back of her headstone is one of her favourites.

Isabel had a sense of humour and often said how important laughter was in their life—in facing things together and finding something to be thankful for and to laugh about each day. After 71 years of marriage, they were still by each other’s side, thankful for the many good things in their life. Along with laughter came a sharp mind and quick wit which she retained until the very end. When being assessed for admission to long term care, one of the questions was to use “screwdriver” and “hammer” in a sentence. She quickly responded, “If I had enough screwdrivers, I’d get hammered.”

At age 93, Isabel is predeceased by her parents, her siblings, loving husband, Cecil (June 30, 2019), and most of her friends. She leaves behind a her loving daughter Colleen Pritchard (Allen), grandson Shane, granddaughter Mandy, great-grandson Adriel, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Graveside service was held for Isabel, on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the Coronach Cemetery, Coronach, SK. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rossfuneralservice.com for the Keast family. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rossfuneralservice.com for the Keast family.