Marcelle Heflin - Keeler

Maman, which means Mama in French, came from a large French Canadian family where she was the baby of 9 children. She was raised in Joliette Canada and spent her youth playing in the snow, playing pranks on her sisters and taking many rides in a sleigh to her Grandfather’s house always accompanied by her large black German Shepherd wolf dog, Silver. At 19, her parents passed away and only knowing one word of English which was “fluently" she joined the Canadian Women’s Army and spent five years in England during WWII. This chapter of her life brought her to a romance with our dad Harral Heflin that led her to marriage, having two daughters, becoming a US citizen and living in Lodi for many years. She was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church during that time and was also an active member of the VFW. Dad passed away in May of 1975 and she was fortunate to meet Robert (Grandpa Bob) Keeler two years later. They married and she spent 18 fun-filled years, happily married and traveling the world with him. She lived in Stockton and was also an active member of The Cathedral of the Annunciation where she was a Eucharistic minister and spent time visiting the sick and bringing them Communion. After Bob died Mama moved back to Lodi then to El Dorado California to be near me her oldest daughter. She lived for 6 years there with her many pets completely content and happy to be close to our family that included 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She also attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the Golden Age club. Mama had a fall in January that really took the wind out of her sails and was then taken care of by Western Slope, Debi Capeder (her care giver), our wonderful Snowline Hospice, and lastly by Sunshine Manor who allowed her to die with dignity with family at her side. Happy Trails Mama, until we meet again and by the way save us a place!! Love you more!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Survived by her two daughters Renee (Stephen) Murdoch, Camille (Allen) Lipscomb, Her sister Mimi Henderson, 6 grandchildren; Nicole (Brian) Drago, Chad (Ann) Murdoch, Todd (Kristy) Murdoch, Ryan (Sarah) Kennedy, Michelle Kennedy, and Erika Lipscomb and 7 great- grandchildren, Charlie and Megan Drago ; Cadence and Jonah Murdoch; Jane and Esther Lim Murdoch and Hudson Kennedy.