Date of Birth: January 18, 1916
Date of Death: September 28, 2015
KEITH – Flora Keith of Melville, Sask., passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 at the age of 99 years.
Flora, better known as Gammy, was born in Cupar, Sask. on Jan. 18, 1916. She was one of eight children born to Verona and Lazar Michaluck.
Flo would share how lucky she and her sister Mickey were to be in the first school district in Saskatchewan to bus students from home to Cupar to receive a high school education, and she later
attended Normal School in Regina to become a teacher.
Her teaching took her to a number of schools around Melville area, the last one in Saskatchewan was at Central School in Melville.
She and her husband, Bill Keith, decided in 1968 to leave Saskatchewan and settle in Kamloops, B.C. where she soon found a teaching position. Flo retired in 1978. Bill passed away in 1982.
Gammy lived her 99 years doing all she enjoyed. Teaching, crafts, sewing, gardening, garage sales, thrift store finds, decoration shopping and most of all, spending time with family and friends. Her family and friends have witnessed what she loved most of all, which was giving. She touched many near and far as she shared her many gifts of found treasures and crafts.
Left to remember her remarkable life are her two children: Flo’s daughter, Marilynn (Larry) Rutzki of Crooked Lake and their children, Tyrone (Corinna) Rutzki of Meadow Lake and their family, Marlayna Rutzki (daughter Payton), Megan (Bert) Bartake (daughters Evelyn and Annabelle), Brooke Rutzki, Cole Thompson and Kyle Thompson; Monté (Kim) Rutzki their family, Serenah, Tayah and Kirah Rutzki of Crooked Lake; Chad (Stacey) Rutzki and their family, Taylor and Ben Rutzki of Regina; Flo’s son, Mervin Buckle (Jean Sirett) of Meadow Lake and Jean’s daughter, Kirsten Kronstedt; as well as nieces, nephews, and her dear neighbours and friends here in Melville and in Kamloops, who became part of Flo’s treasured family.
For all who knew mom, Gammy, Flo — thoughts of her will always bring a smile for all she did and for all she was, and a part of her will be with us always.
Flo’s funeral service was held Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 at Matthews Funeral Home, Melville with the Rev. Brian Mee officiating. Len Gadica led in the hymns, “Here I am Lord”, “Be Not Afraid”, “In the Garden” and “Take My Hand Precious Lord.” Scriptures were read by Marlayna Rutzki, Tayah Rutzki and Sererah Rutzki. Words of remembrance were shared by Mervin Buckle and Kim Rutzki, followed by a video tribute. Those who touched Flo’s life were considered honorary pallbearers and the active pallbearers were all of Flo’s great-grandchildren: Ben Rutzki, Taylor Rutzki, Kirah Rutzki, Tayah Rutzki, Brooke Rutzki, Megan Bartake, Serenah Rutzki, Kyle Thompson, Cole Thompson and Marlayna Rutzki.
Interment took place at the Melville City Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
