BALLANTYNE, Daniela Maria Plastina (nee KEENAN) of Port Perry, Ontario, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and friends on November 29th, after a long and difficult journey following her cancer reoccurrence earlier this year.  Daniela was 48.  She is survived by her husband Scott, her three beautiful children Alexandra, Daniel, and Olivia, her father Daniel Keenan, her step mother Valerie Keenan and her dearest siblings Gabriela and Michael along with their partners Martin Kepa and Yu (Tia) Tian.

Daniela was born on April 7, 1976, to Daniel and Denise Keenan.  Daniela lived throughout the Greater Toronto Area, but her formative years were spent in Aurora, Ontario where she attended Cardinal Carter Catholic High School.

Daniela went on to study Criminal Psychology at the University of Toronto.  Upon graduation, Daniela worked for several companies before landing her dream job as an Intelligence Analyst with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Daniela was proud to be a member of the RCMP, where she stood shoulder to shoulder with her colleagues and was loved and respected by her many friends.

Daniela met her husband Scott during her university studies (the story of which is a legend amongst her closest friends and family).  They were married on June 7, 2003, in the idyllic setting of Oakview Terrace after what Daniela would describe as a rather “extended” courtship period. 

After marriage, Daniela and Scott lived in the town of Newmarket for 10 years, where their children were born, they met some of their closest friends and made many fond memories together as their young family grew.  

Despite being a “city girl” her entire life, in 2015 Daniela chose to move her family to a quiet rural property nestled between the towns of Port Perry and Uxbridge where she quickly embraced rural living. There she and Scott built a loving home and together raised their magnificent children.

Daniela had many loves, but her greatest love was all the quiet moments with her family.  These moments often involved simple things such as watching movies with her children or spending alone time with Scott on their back porch holding hands peacefully to the sound of their beloved birds.

First diagnosed with cancer roughly seven years ago, Daniela's fierce determination, strength, and love for her family saw her through a difficult time, defying the doctor's expectations and always exceeding every measure of courage.  Unfortunately, the cancer returned in late 2023.  Her fierce determination and strength were put to the test again and she displayed unwavering resolution to endure the processes that kept her away from her family and home – never shying away from any step that could bring her home to be with her husband and children. Everyone who supported her in her journey was awestruck by her fearlessness and devotion to her family. 

Daniela had a warm, beautiful smile, and an infectious laugh.  She was beloved by all who met her.  She will be missed deeply forever.

As expressions of sympathy, and as an alternative to flowers, in memory donations to Mount Sinai Hospital (Sinai Fund (Highest Priority Needs)) would be greatly appreciated by the family.  The family would like acknowledge all of the wonderful nurses and doctors in the Emergency Unit, The Intensive Care Unit and especially those on the 12th floor, South Wing, who supported Daniela during her final weeks.