Brenda "Colleen" (Barker) Keefe

With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of (Brenda) Colleen Keefe on August 1, 2024, at the Swan Valley Health Center, at the age of 63.

Colleen was born on March 23, 1961, at the Women’s Pavilion in Winnipeg to John (Bill) and Leila Barker. Colleen was raised on the family farm in Pretty Valley, attended school in Kenville and Swan River. Colleen loved farm life and she could always be seen caring for any animal that needed help and spoiling those that wanted attention. As a child, Colleen loved riding horses, she would often be gone for hours riding and hiking through trails in the bush with her cousins and neighborhood friends.

In 1978, Colleen and Tim Keefe welcomed their daughter Ricki Lea Dawn on March 24; and then on November 27, 1979, they welcomed their son Timothy Brett.

In 1984, Colleen met the love of her life, Dale Williamson. Dale and Colleen settled in the Swan River Valley where they raised their families and farmed until Colleen’s passing. Dale and Colleen enjoyed many years of travelling the Chuckwagon circuit and gained many dear friends and cherished memories. They also ran a PMU farm for many years, once those contracts subsided continued farming with cattle and horses. Along with her passion for animals and farm life, Colleen also spent many years working as an Educational Assistant for the Swan Valley School Division, a career that she loved.

Colleen will be sadly missed by her life partner Dale, her daughter Ricki-Lea, son Brett (Laurie), stepchildren Lee (Tannis), Dee-Ann (Pat) and Johnny; grandchildren Kaylee, Tucker, Clayton, Payton, Javan, Dale, Nebrazka, Sean, Michael, Robin, Candace, TJ, Tyler, and Josh, along with many great grandchildren; her sister Karen (Randy); her In laws Dorthy, Faye, Carole, Dianne and Darwin; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews whom she loved and cherished dearly.

She was predeceased her parents, Bill and Leila Barker, her in laws Don and Laura Williamson, brothers-in-law Llyod and Harley Williamson, Sister-in-law Mavis (Russell) Lowe.

In keeping with Colleen’s wishes, cremation has taken place. She will be laid to rest at a later date.

Our lives go on without you

But nothing is the same

We have to hide our heartache

When someone speaks your name

Sad are the hearts that love you

Silent are the tears that fall

Living without you is the

hardest part of all

You did so many things for us

Your heart was so kind and true

And when we needed someone

We could always count on you

The special years will not return

When we are all together

But with the love in our hearts

You walk with us forever.