Helen Oxley (Dewar) Burden
1929-2021
It is with heavy hearts, that we announce the
passing of our mother, Helen Burden, who
was born on January 4th, 1929 to William L. and Bessie C. (Smith)
Dewar. Helen passed peacefully in her sleep on January 5th, 2021. She
was the wife of the late Dr. R. A. Burden, the mother of Bill (Sue),
Kent (Sharon), David (Charlene) and Tim (Marie) and Nana to Katherine,
Bradley, Jane, Jill, Nicholas, Matthew, Emily, Sarah, and Jennifer and
six Great Grandchildren. She was the third of four daughters and the
last of her generation.
Helen and Arnold were married on August 4th, 1948 and loved
one another for 70 years. It was during those years that Helen
developed a keen interest in crafts. She would do ceramics and
watercolours by the hour and was a partner in Cumberland Crafts, which
was located at the Springhill Miner’s Museum. She was an avid
reader.
To say that Mom was the wife of Dr. Burden would be to damn
with faint praise. She was Dad’s partner in everything. She
was the one who was always home for us during Dad’s 14-16
hour work days. She helped with the homework, cooked all the meals,
did the washing and cleaning like most of the women of her generation.
In addition to raising four active boys and managing a large
household, for many years she managed the Doctor’s practice
from home; taking “calls” and messages and arranging
them so that Dad could make all the ‘house calls’,
call in prescriptions and maybe even get a timely ‘bite to
eat’ – all well before the invention of instant
messaging and cell phones.
Helen was badly burned as a very young child and had to live
over 100 miles from her family for over a year while undergoing
several surgeries which allowed her to learn to walk. She fondly
remembered being re-introduced to Dr. Acker by Dad at a Medical
Fraternity ball. Dr. Acker had been one of Mom’s doctors at
the early IWK and he was thrilled (and very surprised) to note that
Mom was not only able to walk but to dance!
This determination was typical of Helen’s life. She
was an early activist for Women’s rights, was active in both
local and provincial politics and was very proud of her work on a
local school board. She was a wonderful role model for her
granddaughters.
The family wishes to thank Kathy, Eleanor, the staff of
Centennial Villa, the staff at All Saints Springhill Hospital and most
recently, the wonderful and caring people at Northwood (Bedford
Campus) who all combined to tenderly make her final days warm and
comfortable.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of
A. H. Brown Funeral Home, 5 McFarlane
Street, Springhill, (902 597 2361). With respect for the health of our
friends, there will be no visitation or formal service. The family
will hold a celebration of Mom’s life in due
course.
Donations to All Saints Springhill Hospital Auxiliary,
Northwood Ivany Place of Bedford NS, any local food bank or
to a charity of choice would be wonderful.
Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family
by visiting Helen’s online memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.com or
through the A H Brown Funeral Home Facebook
Page.
Click here to View Condolences
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Helen Oxley Dewar Burden 19292021..
Death notice for the town of: Springhill, Province: Nova Scotia