ALICE (STEVENS) KELLAR

On Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, Alice Kellar passed away peacefully at her home in Kenora, Ont. with her family by her side.
Mom was born Sept. 3, 1923 in Wabigoon, Ont. She lived most of her life in the Rainy River District, moving to Kenora in May, 2003 to be closer to her family.
She is survived by her two children, Allan (Jeanne) of Ignace, Ont. and Linda (Ted) Carey of Kenora, Ont. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Neil of Ignace, Ont., Stewart of Edmonton, Alta., Sandy (Lisa) of Winnipeg, Man., and Debbie (Brad), Robert, and Morgan, all of Kenora, Ont.; great-granddaughter, Alex of Winnipeg, Man.; and special granddaughters, Cindy Cain of Newmarket, Ont. and Penney Bradley of Dryden, Ont.
Surviving family also includes her brother, Harvey (Ardelle) of Thunder Bay, Ont.; sisters, Violet of Atikokan, Ont., Florence of Quispamsis, N.B., Lois and Eva of Winnipeg, Man., and Pearl. Special family members include Jim and Freeda Carmody of Devlin, Ont.
Mom was predeceased by her husband, Stewart; infant son, Sonny; her parents, Albert and Martha Stevens; brothers, Arthur, Robert, Louis, and Allan; and sisters, Ethel, Lola, and Beth.
In 1941, Mom married Stewart Kellar, standing by his side for 62 years. Through the years, Mom was his right-hand man, whether it was fixing a car engine, renovating homes, plumbing, or wiring. There wasn’t much they couldn’t accomplish together.
During the war years, Mom travelled east, where she worked in a machine shop in Toronto for a period of time. At the end of the war, she settled into creating a home for her family.
Ever resourceful, she used the produce from their lovely garden for canning, pickling, and baking. She became quite well-known for her homemade bread and often shared a loaf or two.
She also was very skilled at sewing, knitting, embroidery, and creating material on the loom, and was especially fond of quilting in her later years.
Mom was never afraid of hard work, but she did enjoy taking time to play cards with the family. She had a fine memory—able to recall the names of almost everyone she ever met as well as important dates and events that affected each of their lives.
Mom simply loved living. She enjoyed listening to music, dancing, socializing, and giving her time, energy, and the proceeds of her skills to others.
Mom loved people, continually expanding her “family” and making friends. She especially enjoyed having her grandchildren visit. She loved spending time out at the cabin near Morson on Lake of the Woods—a place that she and Dad built together.
It offered her peace and solitude.
In 1955, Mom joined the U.C.W. in Rainy River and remained an active member in Devlin and Emo, until her move to Kenora in 2003. She was a woman whose faith kept her strong through some of the difficult periods of her life.
She will be missed by many other family members and friends. There’ll never be another you and we’ll miss you always.
As per her wishes, Mom will be cremated.
A memorial service to celebrate her life was held Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003 at 2 p.m. in the Knox United Church in Emo, Ont., with Rev. Barbara Miller officiating.
The honourary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Mom requested that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.