Helen’s Obituary
It is with sadness that we announce that Helen Heath passed away in the Peace River Community Health Center at the age of 87 years on October 25, 2020.
Helen was born to Alexander and Lola Fordyce at their homestead near Figure Eight Lake on Jan 5, 1933. She was the little sister to her older brother, Albert, until the family moved briefly to Vancouver in 1941, where her younger brother Ken was born. On the family’s return to Berwyn, they lived in the village and ran the dairy. Milk delivery by horse and buggy was a regular chore for Helen. She graduated from the High School in Berwyn.
In 1953 she married Alan Heath and together they farmed, (and yes, she was still milking cows) and raised their four children on the farm south of Berwyn. Helen sold milk, cream and eggs to supplement their income. She had a green thumb and grew a large garden, always claiming a prize or two from the Berwyn W.I. Flower Show which she helped organize each summer. She loved to go berry picking and of course, made jams, canned berries and baked many delicious pies.
Helen was very involved with community organizations in Berwyn. She was a member of the Women’s Institute, the United Church, the Craft Club, the Berwyn Library Board, the Berwyn Curling Club, the Agricultural Society and she was a Brownie and Girl Guide leader. She loved to curl but in later life had to be content with watching it on TV. She knew the exact amounts of food to prepare for a banquet of any given number and never missed an opportunity to help her friends and neighbors. She supported the local 4-H clubs and was a judge for their Public Speaking competitions. Helen liked to knit and crochet and tried her hand at many crafts. She was an excellent cook and baker. Always available to help others out, she was often the driver taking her friends to medical appointments in Grande Prairie.
In 1991, Helen and Alan retired from the farm and moved into Grimshaw. Helen continued her involvement with the United Church and supported the Grimshaw Senior’s Center. She had many friends, still grew a garden and cooked for her children almost every Sunday. She and Alan travelled all over North America, and even took exotic trips to Mexico, Tahiti, and Europe. Alan passed away in 2013 and Helen continued her busy lifestyle in Grimshaw. In 2019, Helen was no longer able to live alone and she reluctantly moved into Stonebrook Assisted Living facility.
Helen was predeceased by her parents, her husband Alan and her brother Albert. She is greatly missed and fondly remembered by her children: Karen (Jerrold) Lundgard, Dennis, Ernie and Patrick Heath, her grandchildren: Kris, Lee and Kjol Lundgard and her great-grandchildren: Kael and Xandyn Lundgard, her brother Ken(Marion) Fordyce and sister-in-law, Margaret Fordyce.
We regret that as COVID restrictions prevented many of you visiting her while she was alive, they will also prevent us from holding a funeral. Helen will be buried at a private family ceremony.
If you wish to make a donation in her memory, may we suggest the Grimshaw Senior’s Center, the Peace River Hospital Foundation, the Servant’s Heart Initiative or your favorite charity.
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January 5 1933 October 25 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Helen Heath January 5 1933 October 25 2020..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Peace River, Province: Alberta