Lynett Louise Kane
It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Lynett Louise Kane of Edmonton. As leaves swirled and fell like embers, she took her “leave” at sunset on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. She was surrounded by her adoring family and held in love by her extensive circle of dear friends and extended family. Hers was a life complete and if there is such a thing as a beautiful, timely death, hers was so.
Lynett was a loving partner to her wife Aileen Quinn, for 24 years, and loving matriarch to her three children: Sean McKell (Kristen), Matthew McKell (Corrine) and Lynett McKell.
She is also survived by her 8 beloved grandchildren, Bennet, Andrew, Layla, Malaiya, Jane, Francis, Jackson and Sage, her great grandchild Hudson, and Hudson’s mother Mackenzie Belcourt, her siblings, Murray Kane (Louise), Eleanor Kane (Marion), Joanne Kane, Paul Kane, Bernice Chapman (Leon), her former husband and father of her children, Bruce McKell, her cherished Quinn and McKell siblings-in-law, and many adored nieces and nephews.
She was born in Edmonton July 21st, 1951, and lived for 6 years, 3 blocks away from Pilgrim’s hospice where she died. Her family moved to Montreal where she lived until 1974. One of her fondest memories was the summers spent at the Weetamoo cottage at Lac Archambeau, swimming out to the rock, water skiing, and hanging out on the dock and in the boat house.
She met Bruce in Montreal and gave birth to their first son Sean in 1972. After a couple of years, they moved to Vancouver. Opportunity brought the young family back to Lynett’s roots in Edmonton. Matthew was born in 1975 and Lynett in 1976. Edmonton became home, where she proudly raised her family. Because of Lynett’s love of nature, the family had countless trips to Jasper, the west coast of Canada, and across Canada to visit family in the east.
She graduated from Mount Royal Catholic High School in Montreal, graduated as valedictorian from MacEwan University in Edmonton with a Social Work diploma, graduated with distinction from University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Social Work, and received her Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University with scholarships and awards throughout.
Her illustrious career began at the Edmonton Public Library when she was raising her family. It included volunteering at the Edmonton Distress Line, WIN house, Edmonton Healing Centre, and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.
She worked at Children and Family Services, the Sexual Health Clinic, the Stollery at both the Royal Alexandra and the University of Alberta Hospitals, where she became the manager of the social work team. She received accolades/awards for her dedication to the work and families. She “retired” and worked part-time as a grief counsellor at Kids with Cancer.
She had numerous close friends and groups with whom she built a joyous and supportive community of interlocking strength and loyalty, including the Riverdale “hoodlums,” an enneagram work group, Gurdjieff sacred dance movements, Soul Song Circle choir, circle dance, a book club, and her beloved ukulele quartet band called “Two Strings Short."
As well as surrounding herself with music, Lynett had a passion for creating art. Her mediums of choice were water colours, sketching, fine line drawing, knitting, creative and scholarly writing, including a published article on family bereavement in the International Journal of Palliative Nursing.
She had an adventurous spirit and travelled many places in North America and beyond including Mexico, Ireland, Italy, Turkey, Panama, India, Australia, Antarctica, numerous places in Asia, and many others.
She loved gardening, hiking, swimming, and entertaining. Her love of nature also influenced extensive camping, canoeing, and kayaking trips.
The relationships that she grew and fostered with her kids and grandkids will be remembered deeply and her legacy of love will continue on.
Her sparkle for life and love of people will always be remembered. There will be a tribute to celebrate her love of life at Pioneers Cabin on Scona Road in Edmonton on Saturday, November 11, at 2 pm. To honour Lynett please wear mountain attire or white.
“This too is a love story.”
Lynett, her family, and friends received exquisite, comforting care in her last weeks at Pilgrims Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to https://pilgrimshospice.com/get-involved/make-a-donation/ with acknowledgement of the incredibly kind, compassionate, and skilled care team.
Thank you Ailleen for being such a loving caring partner to my mom. You took such great care of her . Love you.
Matt
What a beautiful homage to an incredible woman. Although I have known Lynett for 23 or so years, I learned so many new things about Lynett from the obituary. Lynett is deeply missed by many.
Lynett was a special person and I along with so many will miss her dearly. She was the type of person that made you feel you have know her all of your life. A great work colleague who gave so much of herself to children and families in need. You made a difference and certainly left your mark on this world Lynett.
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman, my friend Lynett. I’m grateful to have known her. Much love to Aileen and family. We will never forget.
Who is remembered lives.
Lynett was such a special person. I’m glad we got to circle dance together for a while. My deepest condolences go out to all who loved her.
Aileen, my heart is with you.
Sadly I never met Lynett but I can tell we would have been friends. I had the next best thing her amazing son Matt and her beautiful daughter Lynett. Many thanks to her compassionate work and doing a great job with her kids. Good luck to you all in this difficult time of change.
We are so very sorry to hear about Lynett’s passing. She was such an amazing lady — always so warm and vibrant, with a smile that could brighten any day. We cannot imagine what a heart-aching void her departure has left.
Aileen, your unwavering support and love for each other were always palpable whenever we were all together — it certainly did not go unnoticed. Warm bear hugs to you, and all of her family, during this dark and difficult time!
Aileen so sorry for your loss of your wife and love.
Matt so sorry for the loss of your mom.
Oh Lynett I miss you and will miss you. The saddness is on me as the Irish say.
No words to say how much I love you and I am so grateful to have had you in my life.
Aileen I love you .Lynett and Matt and Corrine and Sean and Christin and all the kids. My heart is with you
Shawna
I had the privilege of working with Lynett over the years at Stollery. She always had a smile, stopped in our busy days for a friendly chat asking how I was doing.
Sending condolences to all her family. May your wonderful memories fill the holes you are feeling in your hearts at this time.
Aileen and Lynett’s beloved family,
I will always hold memories of how Lynett’s smile and warmth filled a room. Working with her was a gift. Her generosity of spirit drew people to her. Whenever our paths crossed I felt filled with joy. I am so very sorry for your loss.
I was very sad to hear of Lynett ‘s death. Lynett was a good friend in high school.I will remember the many great laughs we had and the many shenanigans we got up to together. She was a tour de force. Her smile and warm heart won everyone over.
My sincere condolences to her family. May your memories of Lynett be a comfort for you all as during this very sad time.
Sincerely Janet Grassby
( Grassass as Lynett nicknamed me )
Lynett always greeted us with a smile and a patient ear for our children’s endless stories. If our kids saw her in the garden or even just walking to her door they would beg us to allow them to say hi to her because no matter what she was doing she always had a moment for them. Her absence leaves a void, but we are so happy she was our neighbour. Our condolences for Aileen and all family.
Aileen and family,
Our heart and thoughts are with You.
Elemee and Jean
Lynett and I were childhood friends and cousins. We had lots of fun together and I fondly remember her. So wonderful to read about her full life and wonderful family. You are all in my thoughts at this time. She was so blessed to have such love in her life ❤️
To the Kane and McKell families, I can only imagine how difficult this time must be for you. Knowing that Lynett left behind such a legacy of an exceptional gift of giving to and helping others is so special and unforgettable. My sincerest condolences to you.
Dearest love, Aileen and family, and condolences.
Here, on Vancouver Island, Nuu-chah-nulth culture reveals that a cousin is a sister. Lynett was ‘first cousin’ indeed, but a sister, too, in spirit. She showed me how a heart can open to the entire universe, and that love can survive so much. Thank you sweet sister, for your life and the way you lived it.
Love to your parents and mine. Watch over us, our families, and our fragile world. Till we meet again, love from your cousin Margaret (sister).
I was so sad to hear of Lynett’s passing. I met her in the late 90’s working together at Win House and then as friends. We’d fallen out of touch but I was always thrilled to run into her here and there. Lynett was a joy, the sweetest person, full of love, with a great sarcastic edge and so smart. I just loved her. Kathleen feels the same way. Aileen, we send so much love and light to you. It’s a loss for the world but we’re so happy to have known her.
Such a beautiful woman – I was privileged to know Lynett and had the honour of working with her both through the Stollery and running a support group for grieving parents at the Kids with Cancer Society. I learned from Lynett whenever I spent time with her, and appreciated her ability to gently offer guidance and respectfully hold space for others. What a loving tribute you wrote to a woman who touched so many lives, providing a glimpse into other facets of Lynett that we may not have known!