HELEN ROSE LESLIE PISNOOK

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HELEN ROSE LESLIE PISNOOK May 17, 1916 November 27, 2008 With family by her side, Helen passed away peacefully at Pembina Place Personal Care Home on Thursday, November 27, 2008 at the age of 92 years. Remaining to forever cherish Helen's memory are her daughters, Carol (Donn Hamm) and Linda Williams; grandchildren, David Ruff (Kelly Livesley), Susan Ruff (Ron Johansson), Natalie Murphy (Jim Sward); great-grandsons, Jordon Ottenson, Kyle Sward, Jason and Derek Ruff; great-granddaughters, Kara, Stefie, and Emma Johansson and Aunty Mum's niece, Gail (Ross) Town. She was predeceased by her husband, William (1985), son Brian (1942) and daughter Pat (2006); parents Rose and Edward Leslie, brothers Alex and Ron and sister Mary. Helen was born on a farm near Spruce Lake in northern Saskatchewan to deaf parents and was consequently involved with the deaf community in Winnipeg. She went to Earl Grey school and then to Tuxedo school when she lived with the McDonald family. She worked at Piggly Wiggly, Eatons mail order, the federal government treasury department and the Brandon Salvation Army Bulloch Booth home. Helen married in Winnipeg on September 6, 1939. The family moved around the country because of Dad's army career. Her three girls were born in Ontario and her son in Winnipeg. She packed and moved us all over Canada making every house into a warm, welcoming home. Helen lived in many places, but her favourite place, hands down, was her cottage home on Pelican Lake near Ninette. She felt spiritual in the peace and quiet of the lake country and felt very close to God. Our kids spent countless idyllic summers under their angel Gramma's watch, exploring, swimming, playing croquet and badminton and picking raspberries. How can we ever forget special brownies, creamed corn, the green Vega, the thunder and lightning storms from the top of the hill and the infamous canoe ride across the lake! Helen was always an avid reader and she passed this love of reading on to all her girls who in turn passed it on to their children. A love of books...a love of life...and a love for each other...what a wonderful legacy to leave us all. Thank you Mum...what a wonderful mother you have been. Love and Blessings forever. A service of remembrance will be held on Monday, December 8 at 3:00 p.m. in the Long/Affleck room at the Manitoba Deaf Center, 285 Pembina Highway. Very special thanks and gratitude to the absolutely marvelous staff on the third floor at Pembina Place Personal Care who provided such kind and compassionate care for almost four years. We shared a lot of laughter and tears. You are truly angels. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army, 500 55 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1L8 . As long as there is someone who loves us, we will remain alive. Memories make us immortal. In truth, love will outlive even memories.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 02, 2008