Jill Eileen (Trent) Keckalo passed away peacefully on May 13, 2016, in Vernon Jubilee Hospital. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Eileen Trent, of Vernon.
Jill will be forever loved by her husband of 63 years, Walter. She is survived by her children: daughters, Susan Demuynck (Mike) of Delta, Linda Keckalo (Al Schuck) of Vernon, and son David Keckalo (Sabrina) of Spokane; grandchildren: Joel Demuynck (Jen), John Demuynck, and Jamie Demuynck (Jen Voitic), and Julie Schuck; great granddaughters: Ava, Addison and Lucy Demuynck.
Born in Vancouver, June 9, 1934, Jill spent the first 12 years of her life growing up in Kitsilano. After the war she moved to Vernon, with her parents, John and Eileen Trent, where she spent the next 70 years living in the community she loved. Jill married Walter, in Vernon, on September 5, 1953.
Jill was a member of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Auxiliary, and spent 35 years as a volunteer, in many capacities, including President. In the past few years, when her health slowed her down, she continued knitting and crocheting for the VJH Gift Shop and the Vernon Hospice.
Needlepoint, cross stitch, sewing, knitting and crocheting kept her hands busy. Jill always had a project on the go, and family and friends were the fortunate recipients of her lovely work. She also loved to work on jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku, and she was an avid reader. Music was a constant in her life, and her iPod reflected her varied taste in music, from Adele, Elton John, Queen, the Four Tenors, to her Classical favourites.
Wednesdays were Bridge Club day for over 40 years, and more recently, she played on Tuesdays as well. Jill cherished those afternoons with the ladies.
An enthusiastic supporter of all her children and grandchildren’s activities, much of her time was devoted to dance and band performances, graduations, and sporting events.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jill’s memory may be made to BC Children’s Hospital or the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Auxiliary.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, June 18 at 1:30 pm, at Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, 4303 Pleasant Valley Road.