Addison, Helen Minerva
(nee Cook)
October 5, 1916 - August 21, 2015
With deep sadness, we announce Helen’s passing on August 21st, surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Nebraska on October 5, 1916, she grew up in an Irish farming family and was no stranger to hard work. Helen moved to Montana, then Alberta, and then to the island where she met and married her dear husband, Joe. With their son, Bob, they created many happy memories at their cabin at Horne Lake, still enjoyed by the entire family. Helen was most content when gardening, which she called ‘therapy for the soul’ - and she loved music, meeting friends for the entertainment afternoons at Bowen Park for over 30 years. Helen’s gracious nature, warm hospitality and bright sense of humor made every person feel uplifted and welcome in her presence. Most of all, Helen loved her family and happily told everyone they were her ‘pride and joy.’ Left with grieving but grateful hearts for the many wonderful years we got to share with her are her loving son, Bob (Ann) Addison, Gram’s grandchildren, Penny (Pat) McMann, Derry (Cathy) Addison, and Tracy (Keith) Windle, step-grandchild Roxanne (Tim) Grant and their daughter, Brooklyn, 8 great-grandchildren: Sean, Jamie, Russell, Caroline, David, Larissa, Kyle and Mataya, and 2 great-greats, Aeylah and Preston, as well as sister-in-law, Anne Addison, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Philip’s Church, 1797 Cedar Road, Sunday, August 30 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her honour, to the Heart and Stroke Foundation at www.heartandstroke.com. Our family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at Keeping House and the third-floor staff at Nanaimo Regional Hospital, as well as family & friends for your love & support.
“You may search everywhere, but none can compare, to our Wild Irish Rose.”