Helen FINNIE

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FINNIE: Helen Katherine Finnie (nee Brown), February 20th, 1924-January 17th, 2019. Helen is lovingly remembered by her daughter Frances (Vaughn) Wilson, son John (Carolyn) Finnie; grandchildren Tricia (Danny) Turner, Martin (Erica Lowe) Finnie, Henry (Nicole) Wilson, Britta (Scott) King; great-grandchildren Jaiah, Ira, Zurin, and Ezra Turner, Matao and Charlie Finnie, Harmony, Eveline, and Gloria Wilson, Leo and Scarlett King; sister Norah Alford, cousins Dorothy Beckel, and Gordon (Rosemary) Brown. Helen was predeceased by husband Charles; son Gordon, daughter Elizabeth and infant son William Thor; parents Thorfinson and Laura Brown; sister Madelaine Brown; parents-in-law John and Mary Finnie; brothers-in-law John, William, Alexander, Cecil, George Finnie, Jack Alford and sisters-in-law Agnes Baker and Alice Glenn. Helen was born in Brockville, Ontario February 20th, 1924 and then returned home with her mother Laura and sister Maddie to the farm at Claresholm, Alberta where her father Thor was waiting for them. She lived on the farm with her sisters and parents until she graduated from high school and then she moved to Winnipeg to attend Normal School for teacher training. Helen had many great interesting memories of growing up on the farm with her family and her cousins whose father was her father’s brother Ned. Helen’s mother died in 1933 and her Aunt Sadie and Uncle Ned helped Thor raise her and her two sisters alongside their own six children. They worked hard through the “Dirty Thirties” to survive but also enjoyed going on picnics and fishing in the foothills. Helen enjoyed her teacher training years in Winnipeg and when she graduated she taught for one year in Brunkild, Manitoba before going to teach in Elphinstone, Manitoba. It was while she was teaching in Elphinstone she met her good friend, Alice Finnie's (Glenn) brother, Charlie, who later became her husband. They were married in Claresholm in October of 1947 and came back to Kenton to start farming on 33 11 23 where they farmed until son John and wife Carolyn started to farm there and Helen and Charlie moved to 20 12 23 to farm. They farmed there until Frances and Vaughn started to farm at which time they moved to Kenton to 114 Grey Street. Helen and Charlie lived there until Charlie passed away in 2013 and Helen moved to her little unit at 403 Harvey Street where she resided until ill health necessitated her being in Hamiota District Health Center until she was able to move to Birch Lodge Personal Care Home where she was a resident until her passing on January 17th of 2019. The early years of farming were busy and a real learning experience for her. She and Charlie had their family from 1950 to 1964. In addition to raising a family through health and sickness, farming, they built a new house in 1957, and became an integral part of the Kenton Harding community. Helen was an accomplished woman! She fulfilled many roles during her lifetime. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, friend and a dedicated community member. Helen was a creative woman who provided the Kenton Memorial Hall with a mural depicting rural living from 1867 to 1976 and one welcoming people to “The Best Little Town By A Damsite”. Helen was also a good seamstress, homemaker, hostess with the mostest, gardener, cook and baker. Helen loved music of all kinds and was so very proud of her musical family. The most important thing about Helen to remember and celebrate was her love of family. She loved her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and friends through thick and thin and supported them through all their various endeavors. She was so thankful for so many things and people in her life even though she faced many heartbreaking challenges over the years. She said it was true she had had a lot to deal with in her lifetime but felt people should handle what they are handed in life the best they can and move on into the future. She was a great role model for her family and friends and her love of nature, agriculture, teaching and music has been passed down to her family. Helen passed away in cold dark January and specified that no memorial should be held until the birds were singing and the flowers were blooming. In accordance with her wishes a memorial service was held on hot sunny July 11th at Greenwood Cemetery with family and friends. There flowers blooming, birds singing, music sounding, grandchildren playing and even some saskatoons on branches. Helen would have enjoyed the potluck cold plate for family and close friends held at the farm afterwards. Helen’s family would like to thank all who cared for her over the years including family, friends, medical and health care workers. Thank you to Duane Campbell for all his guidance through the process. Last but not least thank you to Marianne Whyte for preparing a most meaningful service for “A woman of substance”.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 21, 2019