HELEN ADELAIDE MCLENNAN

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HELEN ADELAIDE MCLENNAN The light that was Helen McLennan has dimmed after 90 years. Helen passed away peacefully at 3:00 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2013. She will be sadly missed by her daughter, Marian, son-in-law, Trygve John Ringereide, son Ian, daughter-in-law, M. Antoinetta, Australian relatives, niece and nephews: Alex, Shaun, Helen and Julian Disney; and American relatives, nephews: Robert and David Lake, nieces: Virginia Requa Lindo and Mary Frances Helsel. Helen was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, John (Jock) McLennan, her parents, Horace A. and Adelaide Requa Lake, her brother Robert Lake and sister Marion Disney. Helen was born in Kingston, Jamaica, October 17, 1922, the youngest daughter of H.A Lake, a distinguished lawyer and humanitarian. Family and friends will remember Helen's distinctive "English" accent, the by-product of the British school system which governed Jamaica until independence in 1962. Helen excelled academically, always placing at the top of her classes. In 1942, with the Second World War in full swing, Helen chose to continue her studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Had the war not intervened, she was slated to attend Oxford university for post-graduate work. Although she flourished at Queen's, as with so many of her generation, her experience was seriously tempered by the lost lives of so many friends involved in the war effort. On graduating with a B.A in 1944, Helen moved to Montreal to work as a research assistant with the International Labour Organization. There she met her future husband, "Jock" McLennan, a native Montrealer and an officer in the Royal Highland Regiment The Black Watch (1st Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division), wounded overseas and returned to Canada just before the end of the war. Jock and Helen married in 1946. They raised their family in Montreal where Helen pursued her interest in the arts and travel as time allowed. In 1972, Jock's career in banking resulted in the couple moving to Winnipeg. At first reluctant to move away from the cosmopolitan life of Montreal, Helen soon discovered the rich diversity of the cultural life in Winnipeg and never looked back. She threw herself into volunteering her time with many of the Arts organizations in the city; chief among them, the Advisory Board of the (Royal) Manitoba Theatre Centre; various positions on the Board of the Volunteer Associates of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, ultimately resulting in a Lifetime Membership; fund raising activities with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, as well as several years on the Board of the Women's Musical Club. Helen's intellectual curiosity never waned. Her knowledge of a wide range of subjects and genuine interest in people enabled stimulating conversations. Family and friends could rely on her prodigious memory to sort fact from fiction. Friendships were integral to Helen's being. She maintained several friends from her boarding school and university days and felt so fortunate to develop life-long friendships out of her various pursuits, particularly here in Winnipeg. Helen would light up in the company of others, having both the capacity to carry a conversation and perhaps, even more importantly, to listen. She never failed to comment on the extent to which her friends enriched her life. In September 2011, Helen suffered a terrible fall which resulted in her being wheel-chair bound and without the use of her right arm. Although having suffered from serious arthritis for years prior to her fall, she had still maintained as active a lifestyle as possible. The accident irreversibly altered her life. Helen's strength of character and her family and friends carried her through the last two years of her life. The family would like to extend the deepest gratitude to those many, dear friends who sustained the quality of Helen's life through their tireless phone calls and visits. She cherished your friendship. You lifted her spirits and offered her a release from the confines of her physical limitations. The family would also like to thank the staff at Lion's Personal Care Centre. The superior "end of life care" Helen received, relieved much of the suffering she would otherwise have endured. In keeping with Helen's wishes, a funeral service will not be held. Instead, the family is planning a Celebration of her life in the Fall. In lieu of flowers, if desired, contributions in Helen's memory may be made to the Salvation Army, or to the Winnipeg Humane Society. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit neilbardalinc.com. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Jul 6, 2013

HELEN ADELAIDE MCLENNAN On Thursday, June 27, 2013 Helen McLennan passed away at the Lions Personal Care Home at the age of 90 years. The family is planning a celebration of Helen's life for the fall. Longer obituary notice to follow. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 NEILBARDALINC.COM
Publish Date: Jun 29, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2013