In Loving Memory ~
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Helen at Polson Care Home at the age 93. Helen was born in Nordegg, Alberta to parents John and Margaret Constable. While a child, her father was in charge of the horse barn at the coal mine in Nordegg and Helen, being the oldest girl, often assisted her mother in the care of her 3 siblings and house work. In 1941 the family moved to the Lower Mainland before Helen's brothers were old enough to work in the mine and just months before the mine had a devastating explosion.
Helen graduated from high school in Burnaby; excelling in grass hockey. She then went to Saint Paul's Hospital and graduated from their RN program in 1951. As a young nurse looking for adventure, she decided to take a position at the Island of Bermuda for two years. She returned to B.C. to work at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Vernon is where she met her husband Linwood. They married in 1956 in New Westminster and remained married 65 years until her death.
The young couple moved to Revelstoke for Linwood's work with CP Rail and Helen worked at the original Queen Victoria Hospital. The couple had three children before moving to Kelowna in 1969. Helen upgraded her skills and was promoted to Head Nurse of Cottonwoods Extended Care. In 1990 Helen and Linwood moved back to Vernon to be close to family and bought a hobby farm. Living in Vernon suited Helen's lifestyle of being an avid skier, gardener and swimmer. Helen surrounded the family in a beautiful array of many flowers displayed inside and outside of her home and in the winter months they often traveled South. For many years, Helen was a very generous donator of knitted socks and crocheted lap blankets to family, the Vernon Jubilee Hospital and different care facilities in the community until she could no longer due to health issues.
Helen was predeceased by her parents and her three siblings (Bob, Dave and Jane). She is survived by her husband Linwood and her children Stuart (Glenda), Margaret (François), Janet (Simeon) and grandchildren Cameron, Jennifer, Mary and Scott.
Helen did not want any service or ceremony to honor her death. A family getting together and sharing memories of her life would have made her happy.
A special thank you to the Staff at the Polson Care Home for the excellent care they provided to Helen and the welcoming atmosphere provided to her family. The family requests in lieu of flowers, please give generously to the VJH foundation.
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