HELEN AGNES HARVIE (NEILSON)

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HELEN AGNES HARVIE (nee NEILSON) On August 1, 2005 peacefully with her family by her side, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. She is survived by her loving husband David; brother Murray; sister Nona; her children, David Jr., Barbara, John, Joan, Ellie and their families. Born June 30, 1927 in Huntsville, ON, Helen graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA then served as an officer in the Air Force in Langar, England. There she met and married David and their first son was born. They moved to Ontario, eventually settling in Belleville with five children. It was then that Helen decided to become a teacher. She drove 50 miles each day to Kingston to take courses in order to accomplish this goal. She taught in many places, Belleville, Thompson, MB, the Prince Albert jail, SK and Winnipeg. She ended her teaching career in Winnipeg, where she taught at Edmund Partridge Junior High and West Kildonan Collegiate. She cared deeply for all her students and many continued to visit her for several years. Helen was a gifted artist. Her oil paintings appeared in several art shows and gave her great pleasure. She was a very creative person and instilled her passion for ideas, art and literature in all her children. Helen was an avid gardener and reader. But most of all Helen loved her family. Her strength, energy and praise inspired us all and we shall never forget her. I have lived and accomplished the task that destiny gave me and now I shall pass beneath the earth no common shade. A service was held August 5, at the Church of the Holy Trinity in White Rock, BC. Donations in Helen's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R6, would be much appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2005