HELENA DAY (POLLY) RILEY 1923-2007

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HELENA DAY (POLLY) RILEY 1923-2007 Polly died peacefully at Grace Hospice on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 after a heroic struggle with pulmonary disease. Polly is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years Derek; three children and their families: Jeannie, her husband Rod Senft, their children Riley, Derek and Lauren; Derek, his wife Anne Poulson, their children Andrew and Kate; Leslie, her husband Buzz Grant and their children Jean, Tom, Ian, and Christopher. She was predeceased by her daughter Debby, her parents Alan and Helena Harris, sisters Nancy and Janet, and her brother Tom. Polly was born in Buffalo, New York on December 8, 1923 and moved to Winnipeg with her parents in 1938. She attended Riverbend School and the University of Manitoba, graduating with an Interior Decorating Diploma from the School of Architecture in 1944. Her great beauty, athleticism and endearing personality made her one of the most popular girls on campus. She was chosen Winter Carnival Queen in 1942, and was at one time University of Manitoba Ladies Tennis Champion and Ladies Golf Champion. Polly and Derek were married during the Second World War while he was home on leave from the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and she provided financial support to him during the early years following the war by obtaining outside employment while he was studying to become a Chartered Accountant. Polly devoted her life to her family, her friends, and her community. Her volunteer involvement included the Junior League of Winnipeg, the White Cross Guild of the Winnipeg General Hospital, Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg, and she was always a willing canvasser for a host of deserving charitable institutions. Her family was her pride and joy. Many happy summers were spent at Lake of the Woods from the time her children were babies until adulthood, and many a ski trip was taken in the family station wagon to the Canadian Rockies and to Colorado. Polly loved the world of sport, particularly golf, badminton, and tennis. She was a member of the St. Charles Country Club, Winnipeg Winter Club and Kinsman Re-Fit Centre. In more recent years she has been immensely proud of her nine grandchildren all of them bright, healthy, and handsome, and they in turn have been as devoted to their Gammie as she has been to them. A great lady of the highest moral character with a very positive outlook, a keen sense of humor, and an unfailing concern for needs and feelings of others, Miss Polly will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of her life will be held at St. George's Anglican Church (Crescentwood), 168 Wilton Street, on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Flowers are greatly declined. If friends so wish donations in Polly's memory may be made to the St. George's Anglican Church Memorial Fund, 168 Wilton Street, Winnipeg, MB R3M 3C3, or to a charity of their choice. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 Broadway-783-7211 www.thomsonfuneralhome.com Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 11, 2007