MORIN, Keelia Elizabeth

Passed away on Friday, June 24, surrounded by her loving but heartbroken family, after a courageous 2 1/2 year battle with lymphoma. She is survived by her dear husband Richard and her precious daughter, Arabella. Keelia was the much loved child of Grace Hegelheimer and William Tales and his wife Heather. She was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital, London, Ontario on October 20th, 1987. Loved sister of Keegan and Nick and cherished by her Avo Honoria Darosa (grandmother) and by her aunts, uncles, cousins and friends

Keelia was definitely a unique individual, with a style all her own. She was outgoing and could strike up a conversation with anyone near her, but she also had a private side and often kept her thoughts to herself. A favourite family story is that she ate one of our usual holiday desserts for many years but didn’t have the heart to tell us that she didn’t like it. She loved spending time with her family and camping and cruising were at the top of her list of things she liked to do. Casual clothes, sunglasses and flip-flops were always a part of her look. She was so looking forward to an upcoming family cruise (that was rebooked 5 times due to the pandemic, and later her illness) and to comply with one of her last wishes, we will honour her memory as we visit some of her favourite places when the trip finally happens in the Fall.

She worked hard to become a DSW and graduated with Honours from Fanshawe in 2008 and she loved working with her clients. At home, she always put us ahead of herself and was a calming influence in our family. At heart she was a caregiver and wanted to make everything ok for those that she loved but she shied away from having anyone fuss over her. Oh, how she would have hated the outpouring of love and affection we all gave her in her last days.

Throughout her illness she never lost hope and never complained, even though she didn’t catch a break anywhere along that journey. She truly was a model of strength and bravery for all of us.

The real purpose of her life, and the reason that she fought so hard, was her devotion to Bella. She absolutely was the center of Keelia’s world and we see Keelia in Bella in so many ways. She is growing up to be a fine young woman and that is due in no small part to Keelia’s influence. Keelia has been taken too soon but she will live on in all our hearts and memories.

The family welcomes visitors to Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas on Thursday, June 30 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m.

Special thanks to the outstanding team at the STEGH ICU department who helped us so much during this difficult time.

Keelia was not a flower lover so a more appropriate remembrance, for those that may wish to do so, would be a donation to an education fund that is being established for Bella.