Obituary of Jo McKeone

McKEONE (McAlorum), Josephine. “Well travelled, well read, well lived” This is the story of our dear mother Jo who passed away on August 18, 2014 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance in the comforting arms of her daughter Norma. It began in 1923 when Jo was born to James and Annie McAlorum and was a loving sister to all her brothers and sisters. Surviving brothers Bobby and Billy and sister Aggie stopped by to visit during her hospitalization and also at St. Andrew’s Residence. She was married to Alfred Down until his death in active service for his country during WWll in the Netherlands. Later she married James and was the proud mother to Lois (Bob) Cowper, Virginia (Les) Trelenberg and Norma (Ken) Demers. After Jim passed away in 1997, Jo got her driver’s license and started her travels! Her travels took her to wonderful places including an Alaskan cruise with Virginia, a trip to Quebec City and Montreal and a trip to Scotland and Ireland with Lois and Bob and again with brother Bobby and niece Mary Eleanor, visits to as far away as Vancouver by plane and as short as weekend trips to Essex in her car. Her local drives around Chatham took her to dinner and a cold beer or a movie with Norma or Saturday morning coffee with the gang. As an avid reader she was always willing to share a book review with anyone and if you were lucky she would give you her copy of her latest favourite. Her love of reading has been passed along especially to her great grand kids. Jo was the proud grandmother to James (Tricia) Cowper, Stacey (Jamie) Paquette, Katie (Neil) Demers and Kelly Demers. These four continue her story by adding eight beautiful great grandchildren; Taylyn, Jayce, Emmit and Jett Paquette, Zoe and Gavin Cowper, Keane Malcolm and Kashlindh Demers. During her time at Caleb Village she shared fond memories with her friends there and will be especially missed by Sophie Kaloyanis. Lois and Virginia are eternally grateful to Norma for her selfless love and care of our mother when we weren’t able to be there. Family to receive friends at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, on Thursday from 2:00-4:00 &7:00-9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Christ Church, Chatham, on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. with The Venerable Paul Millward officiating. Interment to follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. Donations in memory of Jo to the War Amps or the Ronald McDonald House would be greatly appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com Josephine McKeone from McKinlay Funeral Homes Ltd. on Vimeo. McKinlay Funeral Home 459 St Clair St. Chatham, Ontario 519-351-2040