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HELEN ANN DEEGAN
Born: May 02, 1929
Date of Passing: Mar 23, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryHELEN ANN DEEGAN
Our loving mother passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026.
Helen is survived by her five children Marian, Corrine, Judy, John and Liana; grandchildren Desmond, Daniel, Michaela, Braiden, Jaired, Jack and Ella Rose; and one sister Victoria. She was predeceased by her parents Kathleen and Charles Vukets; brothers Louie, Paul and Charlie; and sisters Rose and Kathleen; husband Robert (separated); and sons-in-law David (Marian) and Lorne (Liana).
Mom attended elementary school at the Immaculate Conception School and completed her education at St. Mary’s Academy. After working for several years with Drs. Donald McIntyre and Diehl, she married Robert Charles Deegan. Mom believed that being a wife and mother was her vocation and remained at home to raise our family which she did with love and devotion. Throughout those years and with a growing family there were numerous moves with the Hudson’s Bay Company, but the many friendships made in those years were very special and long lasting for Mom. Later in life Mom returned to the workforce and enjoyed fourteen years at St. Paul’s College at the University of Manitoba until she retired at the age of seventy-five. The College was her home away from home and she relished the opportunity to be involved in a senior academic environment that she had never been privileged to have. Mom treasured the friendships she made at the College as well as a member of the Catholic Women’s Leagues in the cities in which we lived including at St. John Brebeuf Parish.
Family and education were very important to Mom. She made our birthdays, Christmas and other holidays special, and we always looked forward to Mom’s cooking and baking, especially the recipes handed down from her mother. There were many occasions and gatherings spent with our aunts, uncles, and cousins that resulted in cherished family memories and lasting friendships. Mom would arrange for a variety of extracurricular activities when we were in grade school such as swimming and skating lessons to hockey camp, art classes and “Singer” sewing lessons. After high school, Mom encouraged us to continue on to University even if we were not certain as to what field of study to choose, she reassured us that we would eventually find our niche. She was never so proud as when she watched each of us receive our degrees at our University Convocations and continue on the journey of our chosen careers.
Our mother battled cancer for many years but lived to bear the loss of all her birth family except one surviving sister. She believed that this confirms that God has a plan for each of us and that only He knows when our life on this earth is complete. Mom loved her faith and believed her last quiet retirement years were special, having the time to prepare herself for her final homecoming.
In October, 2020 Mom moved from the house on Hennessey Drive to The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre. Our family is grateful for the care and kindness she received throughout her time there. We also appreciate the resources that other agencies provided Mom to assist with her loss of vision and hearing.
Our heartfelt thanks to Jane for the years she spent with Mom at the house and then at The Simkin Centre. She made this final period of Mom’s life as comfortable and meaningful as possible - she truly was Mom’s Angel on Earth.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. in St. John Brebeuf Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Place. There will be a livestream available of the Funeral Mass for those unable to attend.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2026
