May 30, 1954 – July 25, 2024

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts we mourn the passing of Ms. Lillian Jane McKee (don’t you dare call her Lillian)  those who knew and loved her, remember her fondly as Jane.  She had a much too short fight with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) and passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the age of seventy surrounded by loved ones around her bedside.

Jane was born in Drumheller to Mel and Dorothy Lester and raised on the Coad family farm in Rosebud. Until 1961, when they made the big move to Red Deer with 6 kids, renting the upper floor of a house in West Park.

After Jane graduated from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in 1973 instead of 1972 because Lillian Lester somehow received some of the credits Jane Lester needed to graduate. They never could fix the mishap and so Jane had to repeat classes she had already taken.  This ridiculous tradition of going by your middle name frustrated and dogged her all through her life. It caused many inconveniences, such as the teacher calling out Lillian and having to correct them each time. This is why she always told those who would listen,  just name your child what you want them to be called as their first name.

As the third eldest of seven siblings and the eldest daughter she took on the difficult role of being a mother figure to her younger siblings. Jane had a love/hate relationship with her siblings growing up. For who wants to listen to someone who is barely older than you?  Jane worked hard as a young girl, cooking, cleaning, babysitting for friends and family, and caring for her family. Making sure to make everyone’s lunches for school and work. Dorothy and Mel worked all hours so left the household for Jane to lead. Jane always made sure everyone had their basic needs met before herself.  She cared for all her siblings and always spoke of them fondly. Jane was able to bond with each and every one of them usually during their most difficult moments. Those milestones brought them together and made their family stronger. Family was always very important to Jane and she always put matters related to them first before herself. She found joy in helping those around her anyway she could.

Jane’s extended family were the Websters who welcomed her with open arms every Sunday for their very elaborate and comforting dinners. She would also attend the Webster Reunions at Camp Arbuckle religiously. It was a time to relax and reconnect with the family she thought of as a second home.

Jane exhibited a thirst for knowledge and mathematics which fueled her love of working with numbers. In 1993, she graduated from Reeves Business College secretarial program. Jane started her first accounting job with Manpower working as a contractor at Union Carbide which was bought by Dow in 2001.  She continued her career working her way into being a permanent staff member. Jane was well respected by her colleagues and known as a hard-working, trustworthy, helpful and knowledgeable confidant. She once again was the first to give a helping hand to anyone who sought her out. Jane was someone you wanted on your team – and there are many teams out there who will feel her absence. In 2018, Jane retired ending her esteemed career as a Production Data Coordinator to take care of her mother who was battling dementia in her later years. This was a tiring, emotional and challenging time for her and her siblings. Taking care of your aging parents can be rewarding and time consuming. Jane would tell her daughter, Janelle that she would have to be kind and patient with her when she gets to this age. If only that had been the case, alas life has other plans. Jane’s good work must have been done and so as a reward she was given a reprieve to forever rest easy at the ripe age of only 70.

Jane married Robert (Bob) McKee though their relationship turned out to be less fitting than either of them expected. Bob had a son, Tim from his previous marriage who was a wonderful addition to this blended family as the worldly and funny big brother to the two children they had together, Donnie and Janelle.

Jane met her well-matched and devoted husband Cliff through work. Jane wanted to learn to ballroom dance but needed the perfect partner. A coworker suggested dancing lessons with Jane to Cliff and he gladly accepted. Those dance lessons led to many more dates dancing the night away. Cliff brought new adventures and experiences to Jane’s life. They went camping, cross-country skiing and round dancing together. Jane had incredible patience, and always made time to help others, which made her a great dance instructor.  Cliff and Jane taught round dancing together for 14 years in Lacombe, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House and Calgary. Jane never had many outdoor hobbies until Cliff came into her life and he made her better for it. They were both penny-pinchers which to Cliff, being from Yorkshire, was just to his liking.  She loved going to Value village (pronounced vah lou va laje in our household to give it some je ne sais quoi). Jane loved trash to treasure and garage sales trying to find the best deals. She always found brand new or newish brand items everywhere she went. Jane found ways to save money for the future hardships that may come. Jane liked to watch British mysteries and comedies in the evenings with Cliff while eating their dinner. These simple yet timeless moments were always present in their daily lives. They made many unforgettable happy memories with their newly expanded family, including Cliff’s daughters, Victoria and Claire.  As their blended family continued to grow, Jane and Cliff provided their children and grandchildren with all of the love, comfort, hospitality, humour and stability a family could ask for.

Jane loved spending time with her grandkids instilling her love for numbers in them by playing store and getting them to make change for what she had bought from them. She was known for making great holiday dinners of turkey and ham with all the fixings. Jane was also the best at shopping for underwear, she knew exactly what would fit and be the most comfortable. Jane found much pleasure in reading, and in sharing books and her love of books was passed down to her children. Jane’s children and grandchildren were her biggest accomplishments and she would proudly boast about them to those who were willing to listen. She especially was in awe of Janelle’s traits of being blunt, quick-witted, determined and unwavering in her beliefs which she thought pushed her to accomplish much in her life. Jane would also rave about Donnie’s tenacity, stubbornness, athleticism and thirst for knowledge. If you knew Jane well, she always had an eye for admiring the best qualities in those around her and what she thought was truly impressive about everyone.

Jane will be lovingly remembered by her most life changing confidant, caretaker, and friend, her husband of 23 years, Clifford Dunn; two Sons  Timothy Gordon (Stephanie) & Donnie McKee (Lara); Daughters Janelle Unger (Dave), Victoria Maymon (Gavriel) & Claire Dunn; grandchildren Pyper & Dominic Unger, & Mateo McKee; brothers Ed Lester (Val), Joe Lester (Diane), Ken Lester (Tracy): sister’s Edna Harris (Mike) and Connie Lester; nieces, nephews and  countless family, colleagues & friends.

 

Jane was predeceased by her father Melville Lester, mother Agnes “Dorothy” Lester, brothers Robert and Doug Lester; her much loved dog companion Pepsi and first husband Robert Murray McKee.

As Jane prioritized family and the joy they brought to her life, the family asks that you do the same – go out and do something with your family in her honour. Take the time and energy to create new memories spent with your loved ones. In the end..that’s what those who are left behind will reminisce about and cherish the most.

A Viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 7th at 4:00 p.m. at Eventide Funeral Home, 4820 45 Street, Red Deer, Alberta.

The family is sincerely grateful to the Red Deer Regional Hospital staff from the ICU and Unit 22 for their care in Jane’s final days. Memorial donations in Jane’s honour may be made to STARS or Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts.

• Date : 2024-07-25
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home