In the summer of 1918, Laura Keon made her way to Timmins to visit a cousin.
Talented and well-liked, the young nurse ended up staying in the north.
When the Spanish flu made its way into the Porcupine Camp, she volunteered her services as a nurse. Three months after arriving in the area, Keon died of the virus.
After the young nurse's death, the town council of the day approved a memorial in her honour that was never built. More than a century later, and a year into a new pandemic, Timmins council is looking to follow through on the motion.
The Spanish flu pandemic started in early 1918.
By October, the Porcupine Advance reported the north had "fairly well escaped the trouble."
"Cobalt, Haileybury and other towns have been free from cases, and Timmins has had no epidemic," reads a story on the front page of the Oct. 10, 1918, Advance.
Less than a month later, Keon was one of the victims of the virus.
The Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1918, Porcupine Advance reported her passing as "one of the most deplorable deaths from the influenza epidemic in the camp".
"Miss Keon was the first to volunteer her services as a nurse here when the epidemic reached Timmins. Indeed, before it was known that influenza had become prevalent here she had nursed back to health at least two suffering probably from malady. When the emergency hospital was opened here she was placed in charge of the volunteer nurses and she gave the most tireless and devoted service to the work. During the early days of the epidemic, when the conditions were most trying and the work most undesirable, her services were invaluable and her courage and effort beyond praise," reads the story.
Keon contracted the disease the week before she died.
"All in the camp feel her death very keenly. It is felt to be especially deplorable that one who had done so much for other sufferers from the disease should fall a victim.
"Miss Keon was a young lady of talent, bright disposition and pleasing character. She came here in August and has made hosts of friends. At first it was her intention simply to pay a visit to her cousin, Miss Burke, but liking the country she stayed here and later was occupied as a nurse. Her home was at Sheenboro, near Pembroke. Her mother was informed of her illness and arrived in Timmins on Monday evening. The remains were taken to Sheenboro this morning for internment. Miss Keon was dressed in death in her gown as a nurse — the uniform that she had graced in life and in which she had given such helpful and self-sacrificing service to others."
A month after her death, council voted to erect a "suitable memorial" to Keon. The approval was for a sum not to exceed $300.
"No decision has yet been made as to the form which the memorial will take, but the intention is to give a noteworthy expression of the appreciation and gratitude felt by the people of the camp for the services rendered by Miss Keon in the time of need," reads the report in the Dec. 4, 1918 edition of the Porcupine Advance.
Tonight, there's a motion at the Timmins council meeting to install a plaque in Keon's memory. The motion does not indicate the cost or where it would be located.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and will be streamed live here.
