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MERRILEE MARGARET LOEWEN
Born: May 08, 1964
Date of Passing: Aug 15, 2016
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMERRILEE MARGARET LOEWEN May 8, 1964 - August 15, 2016 Merrilee Margaret Loewen, 52, passed away suddenly at her home in Ottawa on August 15, 2016. Merrilee was born May 8, 1964 at the Morris General Hospital, Morris, MB, to Lorne and Arlene Loewen, the youngest of three children. Merrilee and her family moved from Rosenort to Winnipeg in the summer of 1971. Merrilee attended Victor Major and Darwin Schools for her elementary education, graduating from Grade 12 at Dakota Collegiate. During these years Merrilee participated in numerous sports, during summer vacation she attended Red Rock Bible Camp firstly as a camper, then a junior counsellor, counsellor and Water Front Director. Following high school, she attended one semester at Capenray Bible College in Austria. She took her Registered Nursing training at Misercordia School of Nursing where she graduated as class Valedictorian. Following her marriage to Kenneth Kehler, they moved to Ottawa. Merrilee continued working as a critical care nurse at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, followed by a rewarding career as Research Consultant for Pharmaceutical companies which took her to many parts of the world. While growing up, Merrilee attended the Braeside Evangelical Church, where she was baptized upon confession of her faith and became a member. During these years Merrilee attended Sunday School, Young People's Group, participated in many church camps, loved to sing and was an active member. After Merrilee had lived in Ottawa for several years, she purchased a home, later adding a Baby Grand Piano that she enjoyed playing for relaxation. Merrilee loved dogs. Her first one was a miniature Poodle, Oliver, followed by Bogart, Tessa Mae and Winston. Merrilee had an adept ability to train these dogs. Merrilee loved to travel, especially to Italy. She was an exceptional cook. She loved their summer cottage and the water. In the spring of 2016, Merrilee was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, which she fought valiantly; it was not to be. Left to mourn Merrilee's passing are her spouse Karl of six years, his children, son Bradley (Cass); daughter Emily; and stepson James. Also mourning her loss are her mother, Arlene Loewen; sister Bonnie-Anne (Mark), Kyra, Isaac, Jacob and Ajah. Her brother Alex (Bev), Brock (Robin), Thalin (Kenton), and many relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her loving father, Lorne, in December 2013. Our family expresses deep appreciation for her circle of loyal friends in Ottawa. Thank you also to Birchwood Funeral Chapel of Steinbach for taking care of the Memorial Service and serving lunch. The Memorial Service was held on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with ash interment on August 22, 2016, in her loving father's grave at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 10, 2016
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Merrilee. 9 years have passed. She is often in my thoughts. One of my few true friends. We met in the mid-late 90's. I was a research nurse in Toronto at Sunnybrook Hospital and she came periodically to monitor the trials I worked on. She was absolutely delightful; we immediately connected and developed a strong bond. We supported each other as we navigated through new life changes. We socialized when she visited Toronto and I made many trips to Ottawa for weekend visits in her Parkdale neighbourhood, cottage and at her townhouse near the university. She was a mentor and supported me through my transition from a trials nurse to a clinical research associate. Merrilee; a generous, beautiful, talented, strong woman and dear friend. I miss her very much and not a week goes by that she isn't in my thoughts, filling me with pleasant memories along with enduring sadness. To her family; thank you for this beautiful woman. She was an important person in my life, a loyal friend who I miss very much although grateful for the joy she shared. - Posted by: Pat Cotman (dear friend) on: Aug 15, 2025
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I was very sad to come across the posting of Merrilee's passing about 2 years ago. Merrilee and I worked together about 20 years ago when I was at Quintiles running a clinical trial (now IQVIA) and she was a contract CRA on the study. We worked together for well over a year remotely on calls but I had the opportunity to meet her at a few team meetings where the entire team flew in to review the project. She was always passionate about work, all the great things about Ottawa she would tell me about (I still have never been there) and she had a great and positive attitude. At the time I had not traveled much and she would tell me the great things about Ottawa and stories about how people there used to ice skate down the river to work and it gave me such a beautiful image of the city. After I left Quintiles we, like so many of us, went our separate ways as did many of the others on the team who I would periodically run into at industry conferences. Maybe 5 years ago I bumped into a mutual former colleague (who was also from Canada - Vancouver) and asked how Merillee was doing and was told well and she would speak to her from time to time on other projects. I had no idea of the gravity of Sarcoidosis and after reading about it just this morning see that others had passed with the same condition. Having a much younger sibling who died around 8 years ago at the young age of 23 after a late diagnosis of testicular cancer, I know the difficulty such a rare disease can have on a family. I randomly was looking her up to see how she was doing only to find the post of her passing in 2016. The world has lost one of the great ones and I wish your and your family all the best with your memories of Merrilee. She and your family will be in my thoughts. - Posted by: Michael Smyth (Former colleague) on: Jul 21, 2018