Lynn was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. She attended Kensington Road Elementary and Queen Elizabeth Jr/Sr High School. She earned many badges in Brownies. In high school she enjoyed being in the curling club and also curled with her parents in the credit union league. As a teenager, she enjoyed baby-sitting and volunteering as a candy striper at an old age home. Summer and weekend jobs included a shampoo girl in a beauty salon, a car hop at the local A&W and a cashier at a swimming pool.
Over the years, Lynn worked at various jobs such as at a bakery, a Tastee Freez, printing shop and bank data centers. Most of her working career was spent in the Market Research business as a supervisor/office manager both in Vancouver and Toronto.
She had many fond memories of tobogganing down the North Hill and being pulled on the toboggan behind the family car on the ice of Chestermere Lake east of Calgary. Vacations were spent camping, first in a tent, then in a tent trailer.
Around 6 years old, their little red wagon full of belongings, off they went down the back alley to help the family move from 3rd Ave. N.W. to the other end of the block on 1st Ave. where she got her own bedroom. The family took in borders, two of which were from Holland which explains where the wooden shoes came from.
One summer holiday while visiting her good friend Donalee in Cochrane, who is now a nurse, (and who had the measles at the time) Lynn twisted her ankle in a gopher hole while chasing a kite. Donalee rubbed her swollen ankle with horse liniment every hour. Three months later an x-ray showed a broken bone which was later operated on.
At the end of high school, Donalee and Lynn moved to Banff together and worked in a bakery. They sure enjoyed the 'care packages' Lynn's parents brought with them when they came to visit. From Banff, the 2 of them headed to Vancouver - hitch hiking. They made it in 2 rides. The second ride was with a traveling salesman who took them on his route around B.C.'s interior with him. Five days later they arrived in Vancouver. Then a train ride back home to Calgary for Christmas with Andy in tow (a guy Lynn met in Vancouver). The Keeling household was always open to wandering souls. Donalee ended up staying in Calgary. Lynn left for Vancouver again in the New Year where she found a job at a printing company. Between living in Toronto, Squamish, Port Alice, Calgary and Quesnel, she always migrated back to Vancouver.
Her marriage to Walter in 1970 lasted 2 years. Friendships that lasted from that relationship knew her for 13 years as Lynn and Alan. And then along with friendships from that relationship, finally as Lynn and Ralph.
With Ralph came his 3 adult children Todd, Ted and Trudy with her husband Rob and grandson Justin. And many wonderful memories of camping with Ralph's 2 brothers and their wives. In 1997 the three couples in three camping vehicles started out on an across Canada adventure together. Following Route 66 back across the U.S., six months later Ralph and Lynn arrived back home.
Travel being a priority, Lynn and Ralph enjoyed many cruises that included the Panama Canal, Alaska and Caribbean. They enjoyed their Thousand Trails camping membership. Life with Ralph included belonging to the Unity Church where she also volunteered.
Lynn's life was a journey of personal growth searching for and finding the purpose she came to earth for. Over the years Lynn's interest in holistic health lead her to many workshops and groups. In 1992 a cervical cancer diagnosis lead her to the Vancouver Cancer Clinic. It was her dream come true, a medical institution which taught and used complementary therapies. She benefited greatly from the Music and Art Therapy sessions and the relaxation group. Lynn eventually started volunteering at the clinics relaxation groups and took the Therapeutic Touch workshops. She also had training in reflexology, craniosacral therapy and reiki. By 1998, she was participating in the Holistic Night groups and was involved in various Hospice groups. Lynn facilitated various relaxation groups and healing retreats. Always willing to learn, she especially enjoyed the weekly Mask Making workshops she attended.
In her early 50's, Lynn wrote many best selling books including the popular 'How To' series where she shares her life story. She traveled extensively giving seminars and workshops around the world. She made many appearances on talk shows such as Oprah. She was a regular radio personality on Vancouver's first Holistic Healing Radio Station.
Always walking her talk, she was an incredible example of a human being. Lynn pasted away peaceful in her sleep at the age of 94. Lynn, you are missed.
There is one last request - Lynn wants to clear up one last lie. Donalee and Chuck, she wants you to know that - yes, she did help spread honey and cracker crumbs around your room on your wedding night. She is sorry she lied to you, but she sure had fun doing it.
April 7, 1999
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