Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
BREWSTER, Helene
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of a beautiful, remarkable woman, Helene Brewster (nee Gingras), whose warm, vibrant life ended on Tuesday at the Ottawa Civic Hospital following a heroic struggle against early onset Alzheimer’s. She was 60. Helene was extraordinarily courageous and deeply loved. She passed away in the warm embrace of her family and surrounded by lifelong friends. The loss for all of us is incomprehensible and overwhelming. A devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend, she leaves us with an incredible void, but also many happy memories and a legacy of love and laughter that is simply irreplaceable.
She is mourned by her husband Murray Brewster, daughter Sarah Brewster (Garrett Moore) and son Adam Brewster, as well as brothers Guy Gingras (Val); Donald Gingras (Lori); Richard Gingras (Kelly) as well as a host of nephews and nieces. She also leaves behind a bereft dachshund, Lily, her constant companion and protector throughout her illness.
It is a testament to her warm and generous nature that she will also be mourned by unbelievable cast of friends and colleagues, many of whom she collected throughout the years in various provinces at different points in her life and some of whom stood by her and kept her in their warm embrace as her disease went about its cruel work.
Born on Dec. 5, 1963 to the late Leo Gingras and the late Gertrude Gingras, Helene was the only girl among a brood of boys. She liked to tell us it made her tough and a tomboy, but we mostly saw the girly-girl. Most of her brothers doted on her and were there for her right up until the very end.
While working at the Welland Hospital coffee shop during high school, she met and fell in love quite by accident (literally) with Murray, her future husband, whom she followed in his work as a journalist to different parts of the county. During that time, they were blessed with two wonderful children who’ve grown to become kind, thoughtful and generous adults. They also doted on their mom showering her with affection and the kind of teasing you only reserve for those you love deeply.
Helene spent most of her working life in medical and dental administration, where she found a whole separate – sometimes crazy – family among her co-workers. They were a constant source of joy and later comfort.
Her home was always filled with music and laughter. Blessed with an extraordinary wit and a sense of fun, Helene – it was always said – lit up a room with her smile. She was a gracious host, a great cook and even better baker whose desserts have become the stuff of legend. Whether it was loudly cheering on her Montreal Canadiens; organizing a trip to Europe or baking up a storm in the kitchen with Shania Twain blaring from the stereo, Helene embraced life and those she loved with passion and conviction.
She was one of the bravest people you’d ever meet, rarely complaining about her fate. Instead she accepted it with strength and humor, making those around her laugh and calling on them to dance with her in the ultimate expression of joy that so defined her life.
Helene will be going home to Niagara. She will be resting at H L Cudney Funeral Home, 241 West Main Street in Welland where there will be visitation on Friday Nov. 15, 2024 between 2-4pm and 6-8 pm. There will be a funeral on Saturday Nov. 16, 2024 at 1pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 29 Bald St. in Welland, Ont. A private, family-only interment will take place at Holy Cross cemetery in Welland next week. For all of her Ottawa friends and colleagues, there will be a separate celebration of life on Dec. 14, 2024 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Ottawa). Online condolences available at www.cudneyfuneralhome.com.
December 5 1963
November 12 2024
Death notice for the town of: Welland, Province: Ontario
death notice Helene Rose Brewster December 5 1963
November 12 2024
obituaries notice Helene Rose Brewster December 5 1963
November 12 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Helene Rose Brewster December 5 1963
November 12 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.