Helen O’ROURKE

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O’ROURKE: Helen Irene Mom passed away peacefully at 90 years of age, with her 7 children near, on Oct. 12, 2009. Mom was born Oct. 28, 1918 in the sewing room of her parents’ farm at St. Boswells, SK, the 5th of 11 children born to William and Lydia Hall. Her formal schooling ended after completing Grade 8, as she was needed at home, where she helped care for her siblings, developing exceptional child care skills, and a true love for children. After a short time living in B.C., she returned to Saskatchewan. There she married our dad, Robert O’Rourke, and the two made their home in Shamrock, before moving to Reston, Manitoba in 1954. Her life was full, raising seven children, whose ages span 22 years, while gardening, canning, milking cows, and being a part-time bus driver (at seeding and harvest time). Together, Mom and Dad cared for their animals, and brought their grain crops to fruition to have a successful farm. Their home was always open to family and friends. Central to Mom’s life was her family, whether immediate or extended. It was always a special pleasure to receive a letter or Christmas card from her. Over the years she corresponded regularly, keeping distant relatives and friends aware of what was going on with her family and others. She had an uncanny ability to recall names and birth dates - she was our family tree! She cared for 3 generations of children, as well as traveling to care for her brothers and sisters when terminally ill. We all appreciated her warm touches - words of encouragement and empathy, a homemade brownie, cookie, or puffed wheat cake, buns from a warm oven, slippers and a housecoat to borrow, a bean bag to warm our bed. Mom and Dad moved to Brandon in 1975. Mom enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens - she even enjoyed weeding! Mom took pride and pleasure in maintaining a house full of warmth and comfort for all to feel a sense of "home". Mom was Dad’s primary caregiver when he developed Alzheimer’s disease. Her patience and love towards Dad were an inspiration, but not a surprise, to her children. Upon Dad’s passing in 1994, Mom opened her home to her brother, Jim, who remained with her until her move to Victoria Landing in March ‘09. In Sept. ‘08, Mom suffered a stroke and heart attack. With her brave, strong spirit, she worked to reach the goal of going home and caring for herself. We were appreciative that she retained her memory and sense of humor that made our Mom so special! Mom was buried beside Dad on Oct. 16 in the Reston Cemetery. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert, grandchildren Rob Malley, Randy Jorgensen, and Mandy Oliver, son-in-law Gary Malley, and siblings Orma, Ralph, Cyril, Howard, Morley, Coy, Janet and Eva. She is survived by her sister, Joan (Louie) Schuetz, Armstrong, BC, and brother Jim Hall, Swift Current, SK, sisters-in-law Faith Hall, Ruby Woods, Margaret O’Rourke, and brothers- in-law Lionel O’Rourke and Peter Martins. She will remain a strong family influence to her seven children: Pat (Lloyd) Jorgensen of Bonnyville, Alberta, Terry Malley, Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Joann (Ray) Sauve, Reston, Connie (Bob) Oliver, Brandon, Don (Mary Jo), Virden, Jim (Cathy), New Westminster, British Columbia, and Dianne (Mark) Kolesar, Brandon. Mom had 18 grandchildren, eighteen great- grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Mom’s newest great-grandchild, Liam Oliver, was born on the day of her funeral, a new member to a family she cherished so much! Rest well, Mom. Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, or a charity of your choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 24, 2009