In loving memory of Pat Keen

The saddest news to post. My Mother Patricia (Pat)  Keen lost her battle against cancer yesterday. She was at home with family and received the best palliative care possible from the wonderful MacMillan nurses.

Born in Llanelli, she was the youngest of four children. She met my father working at CIS in Manchester of all places and career demands moved the family to Leytonstone and then the big move to Neath which is where we settled.  Although many of you will remember her running the claims department in our Firm that wasn’t her first career choice.  Mum trained and qualified as NNEB nursery nurse.  She worked with pre-school children in Leytonstone and went straight into a nursery school when we “emigrated” to Neath.  I was only a kid but I do remember mum being happy in her work.  When my father set the Firm up in 1978 my mother shortly joined him to help with the day to day trading.  I remember those as tough years, long hours and both working weekends and many evenings.  They built it from a standing start; not buying business ,or indeed,  poaching business from another Firm.  The hard way.

A decade of graft and the Firm was well established and staffed.  Mum and Dad took a break and a short holiday, then another and they had caught the traveling bug.  They travelled together for years, every continent and months at a time.  Mum would aways send postcards, immaculate handwriting and using every bit of the space available.  There were always exciting stories to recant when she returned.  It’s a great comfort to write a few lines and remember how happy they both were in those years.  The next tour being planned in a matter of days after their return.

My mother has always been one to put others first.  A great friend to the neighbors and the customers; many of whom became close friends during years of consistent support and loyalty to our firm.  An active church member, volunteer, fundraiser and a member of inner wheel.  Everyone and anyone in need, mum would help without hesitation.

She fought cancer nearly 20 years ago.  Operations and months of treatment and she had it under control.  No further medication needed and she just got through the entire ordeal without complaint and still fussing and trying to solve every problem for those around her.  Tragically cancer returned and took hold.  We lost Dad, then her sisters and her niece.  Mum nursed and cared for all and all along cancer was taking her life.  MacMillan were called in just over a week ago and I am so grateful to them.  What a difficult job they have; mum did tell me how wonderful they were when we were last able to talk last week.  In her memory I have started a Just Giving page in aid of MacMillan.  If you would like to donate here’s the linkhttps://www.justgiving.com/page/gareth-keen-1706580215162

So now it’s your turn to rest mum; you’ve done so much for so many, rest in peace.  I miss you already xx