Annie (Willis) Keto

Annie was born in Northern Ireland to Adair and Mary Willis. Mom leaves behind her loving family, daughter Linda and son-in-law, Anthony DeSantis and the joy of her life, her grandson, Ryan.

She also leaves behind an extended family of nieces, cousins and friends in Ireland and England.

She was predeceased by her brother, Robert and step-brother, Ian and wife Louisa her much loved and cherished sister-law-law.

Mom studied nursing in Belfast, Northern Ireland and completed her rotations at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Mom decided to leave her beloved Ireland and emigrate to Canada in the early 1950's. Home was always Ireland, even to the very end.

Mom's love of children, lead her to The Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto where she served families and children as a Pediatric Nurse. She considered her work a blessing and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. After almost forty years at the hospital, she retired to her beloved condo in Richmond Hill, living independently almost to her final day.

Mom was an amazing knitter. At the tender age of four, her Grandma taught her this beautiful craft. Her passion for knitting remained with her throughout her life. The intricacies of knitting baby outfits was her joy, and later in life it became colourful dish cloths.

Her life was filled with her love of God, time spent in prayer, daily devotion and reading her favourite book, the Bible.

Her life passions, were her career, tending to her garden in my childhood home in Toronto, knitting, dogs (especially our late, Sierra), but without a doubt, her heart was filled with love for her grandson, Ryan and her ability to live long enough to see him become an adult.

Mom was the strongest woman I have ever known and most likely ever will know. I called her my Energizer Bunny. Through many trials and tribulations of life, Mom was faithful to her Saviour. Mom loved her lifelong Church Family at Melrose Community Church and I am forever grateful for their love and support of her and me.

Although the past several weeks of providing care for Mom were, stressful, challenging and difficult, for both of us, every moment with her was a gift and a blessing for me, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Her life lesson was...

"Always try to do the right thing."

Until we meet again, Mom, I will try to live by those words.

Her chosen scripture for this moment is the following excerpt from the King James Version of the Bible,

II Corinthians 5:8

...Absent from the body...present with the Lord.

Flowers are graciously declined. Mom lived her life in charity and giving. If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to the following: Christian Blind Mission, Melrose Community Church, or World Vision (especially for donation to farmers in developing nations to help provide livestock and a lively hood)

The family asks you to join them for Annie's graveside service on Friday September 18, 2020 at 1:30 pm. The link below will allow you to join:

https://youtu.be/1xVtEV0htho