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EVA MERYL MCKEAND
Born: Apr 15, 1927
Date of Passing: Apr 20, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryEVA MERYL MCKEAND
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Meryl McKeand at the age of 98 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, April 20, 2025, with family by her side.
Meryl was born on April 15, 1927, in the RM of Elton. She was the eldest of 5 children.
Meryl had her first years of schooling at the Elton one-room country school. In 1934 their family moved to a farm at Justice. In 1937 they went to live near Grande Prairie, AB. In 1939 the family returned to Douglas where Meryl attended Matheson School.
In 1942, the family moved to a farm at Chater, MB where Meryl continued her education. She received her grade 12 diploma from St. Michael’s Academy in Brandon in 1943.
With attending so many different schools, Meryl learned early in life to be outgoing and how to get along and work with people. This gave her a broad spectrum of life and general knowledge.
In 1944 Meryl returned to the Douglas District as a teacher at Matheson and later Norman schools. On July 5, 1947, James and Meryl were married. James passed away in 1987.
Meryl was very active in the community. She was involved in the organization of the Women’s Institute at Douglas in 1948, Douglas Church Women’s Auxiliary and the Sunday School. Meryl was a very talented seamstress.
In 1971, Meryl began work at the military base CFB Shilo as the Base switchboard supervisor which she was renowned for through her 21 years of service. A display of Meryl at her switchboard can still be seen at the RCA Museum in Shilo.
She was elected as a trustee for Ward 1 in the Rolling River School Division. She served the area for 21 years and it was through her efforts and determination that Douglas not only remained a viable school but was also expanded.
She enjoyed her retirement years with friends Mayme Doak, Grace Whaley and her special friend Leonard Nagorski. They would all go to dances, fall suppers, bingos and had many fun years.
In 2010 Meryl moved into Victoria Landing in Brandon where she resided for 14 years.
Meryl is predeceased by her husband James McKeand, parents Thomas and Eura Gillespie, her three sisters Iowne (Earl) Stephenson, Elva Jackson, Betty (Orville) Goddard, her brother Mac Gillespie and her sons-in-law Chuck Sinclair and Gary Demkey.
She is lovingly remembered by her daughters Elaine Sinclair and Janet Demkey, her granddaughters Jennifer (Doug) Muirhead and Pamela (Mike) Ricklefs, her great-grandchildren Ryan and Justin Muirhead and Jessica (Nick) and Jamie Ricklefs, and her great-great-granddaughters Rylee and Bowyn Haw as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow. Interment will be at Madford Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Meryl may be made to Douglas Community Recreation Association, Box 301, Douglas, MB R0K 0R0 or to Madford Cemetery c/o Box 224 Douglas, MB R0K 0R0.
As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 25, 2025
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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My condolences to Elaine, Janet and families. My grandparents were great friends of your parents and Grandpa Dave. They were all involved in the Manitoba Agricultural Museum in its early days and instrumental it getting it started. Your mum was a long time supporter of the museum. Several years ago I drove your Mum from Brandon to Calgary to visit her sister. We had a great time and she told me many stories. It was mentioned in her obit about the family moving to AB. They took the train and brought a grain wagon with the families possessions and a couple of horses. Her parents couldn't afford tickets for the kids so the kids hid in that wagon for several days with the parents bringing food and checking on them several times a day. Back in the 80's when it was long distance to call from Shilo to Brandon everyone on base knew Merle with the sexy voice. My hubby and I were at a dance and I told him I was going to say hi to Merle did he want to meet her. Oh yeah. After meeting her he sprinted back to the table to tell his buddies he met Merle with the sexy voice. They all wanted him to point her out. Many didn't realize she was older than their mums. Needless to say there was a lot disillusioned and sad young men that night. She was special. Cherish your memories. Nadine Wood - Posted by: Nadine Wood (Friend) on: Apr 26, 2025