HELEN MARION LOUISE HAMMOND

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HELEN MARION LOUISE HAMMOND (nee BINKLEY) Peacefully, on March 23, 2015, Helen passed away. She leaves to mourn her children, Bryan (Marilyn), Alana (Carl), and Suzanne (Bob), seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends. She was predeceased by her brothers Bob, Ward, and Norman, sister Betty, sister-in-law and friend Joan, and husband Andrew. Helen had a childhood divided between the city with her mother, father, sister and brothers; and the country where she spent much of her young life with her grandparents and beloved aunt Monie. Living much of her early life on the farm gave Mom her lifelong love of animals - dogs, cats and horses especially, but really any living creature except for spiders. She was a very talented equestrian. Mom was never without a cat or two, always a stray or a rescued cat, to lavish attention on. In her teen years Helen moved back to the city, where her parents operated a lodging house, mostly for officers of the RCAF - a dream come true for an attractive teenage girl. Helen became known as "Bink" and was treated like a little sister by all her brothers' friends, who included her in excursions to nightclubs, train rides to dances at Winnipeg Beach and other fun activities. Her brother Norman was her dearest lifelong friend. Helen studied fashion design after high school, and subsequently became an expert seamstress and tailor. She designed and handmade a line of classic children's wear under the label "Pink Mouse" for over twenty years, which at its height took custom orders from all over North America. She sewed costumes for McConnell's School of Irish Dance for decades, and was very proud of her Irish heritage. Helen's family was everything to her, and she formed very close relationships with our friends and partners. She enjoyed the 60's even more than our generation did. Our friends were all envious of our "cool mom" and loved to hang out at our house. Mom was a huge fan of Mick Jagger and Keith Richard's, and was listening to the Rolling Stones literally until the day she died. She worshipped her grandchildren, and they adored her. As they grew up, she also became their friend. Everything Helen did, she did well. Her baking was memorable, and she loved to share it with family and friends. She truly had a green thumb and any plant she touched would thrive. Her gift wrapping was art. Her sense of style was unquestionable. She never saw herself as old, and had a sharp mind and edgy sense of humour. Her grandson Nevil expresses the feelings of all Helen's grandchildren... Helen was a one-of-a-kind sort of Grandma: pop-culture hip, youthful in vigor, and bitingly funny. There's no question that her sense of humour had a major influence on me growing up and I will never forget the way she spoiled us grandkids rotten. Her love for us was unquestionable and she was responsible for some of my best memories past and present. It's hard to forget someone like her, and of course I never will. Rest in peace Nana. A family service will be held on Monday, March 30. In lieu of flowers, donations to Winnipeg Pet Rescue, 3062 Portage Avenue, or D'arcy's ARC, 730 Century Street would be gratefully appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 28, 2015